Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 28) seized about 0.5 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated value of about $1.3 million and a duty potential of about $1 million in Yuen Long and Sham Shui Po.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Yuen Long yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a 59-year-old woman and seized about 1 800 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes from the basket of her bicycle. Upon investigation, Customs officers further seized about 190 000 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in a stone hut manned by her in the district. Later the same day, Customs officers intercepted a 53-year-old man in Sham Shui Po and seized about 4 200 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in his possession and about 0.3 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in a residential unit, with the arrest of a 43-year-old woman in the unit. The three arrested persons have been put on bail pending further investigation.
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.
Ends/Tuesday, November 29, 2016
