The Anti-Illicit-Cigarette Investigation Division of Hong Kong Customs detected a cross-boundary cigarette smuggling case in Tin Shui Wai and yesterday afternoon (April 26) seized some 1.4 million sticks of illicit cigarettes worth about $2.67 million, with a duty potential of $1.7 million. A 48-year-old male driver was arrested and a truck was also seized.
Based on intelligence analysis, Customs officers investigated the smuggling activities of a syndicate in Tin Shui Wai and carried out an operation yesterday. The officers found some workmen moving goods inside a truck at an outdoor carpark in Tin Shui Wai. In the course of interception, officers seized the batch of illicit cigarettes and arrested the truck driver.
The smugglers had mixed the illicit cigarettes with cartons of plastic goods and entered Hong Kong via Man Kam To Control Point. The arrested driver is on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing unmanifested cargo is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement against cigarette smuggling activities. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarettes activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Tuesday, April 27, 2010
