Hong Kong Customs today (October 27) detected in Kwun Tong an illicit cigarettes storehouse which is the largest storehouse found in the territory this year. During the operation, Customs officers smashed a newspaper stall selling suspected illicit cigarettes and its storehouse located nearby. About 500 000 sticks of illicit cigarettes were seized. The total value of the seizure was about $1.25 million with a duty potential of about $960,000.
Acting on information, officers of Customs' Revenue and General Investigation Bureau monitored a newspaper stall recently and found that it was engaged in supplying suspected illicit cigarettes to acquainted customers with goods stored in an industrial premises in Kwun Tong. Customs took enforcement action this morning and seized about 500 000 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes from the newspaper stall and the storehouse. A 54-year-old man, who claimed to be a newspaper stall operator, was arrested.
Customs will continue to undertake stringent enforcement against illicit cigarette activities to protect government revenue.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possessing, selling and buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for two years and a fine of $1 million.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Monday, October 27, 2014
