Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 14) seized about 600 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.6 million and a duty potential of about $1.2 million in Kwai Chung.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation yesterday, Customs officers inspected a cargo consignment at a logistics site in Kwai Chung and seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes. Two 46-year-old men were arrested.
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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, June 15, 2019
