Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 6) seized about 17 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $48 million and a duty potential of about $33 million in Yuen Long. Two men suspected to be connected to the case were arrested.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in San Tin, Yuen Long, yesterday afternoon, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from three 20-foot-long containers in a container yard. Two men, aged 35 and 63, suspected to be connected to the case, were arrested.
Investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will also continue to adopt the strategy of interception at source and spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities for protection of revenue.
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/Tuesday, September 7, 2021
