Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 17) seized about 1.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes in Kwai Chung with an estimated market value of about $3.6 million and a duty potential of about $2.6 million.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation yesterday, Customs officers found about 900 000 suspected illicit cigarettes at a logistics site in Kwai Chung. Later, Customs officers further found about 400 000 suspected illicit cigarettes at another logistics site nearby.
Investigation is ongoing.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, May 18, 2019
