​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 15) seized about 700 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.9 million and a duty potential of about $1.3 million in Fanling.
Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Fanling yesterday afternoon and found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes on board a truck at a cargo yard.
During the operation, a 28-year-old male truck driver and a 55-year-old cargo yard man in charge were arrested. The truck suspected to be in connection with the case was also detained.
Investigation is ongoing.
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/Wednesday, October 16, 2019
