Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) detected a cross-boundary smuggling cigarettes case at Man Kam To Control Point. In an inbound goods vehicle, a total of 151 boxes containing about 1.8 million sticks of duty not paid cigarettes were found. The total value is about $3.4 million with a duty potential of $2.18 million. In the operation, one local man was arrested and the goods vehicle was seized.
At about 2pm yesterday, Customs officers at Man Kam To Control Point intercepted a loaded goods vehicle which declared to contain "assorted cargoes". The duty not paid cigarettes were found upon examination. The driver was arrested immediately.
In this case, cigarettes of various brands had been sorted and packed, and could be speedily delivered for sale. The Customs believes that the illicit cigarette syndicate continues to manipulate the ?謓鯱ift distribution??mode with an attempt to lessen the risk of being detected.
The 36-year-old arrestee has been charged of "importing unmanifested cargo" under the Import and Export Ordinance.
According to the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and an imprisonment of seven years.
A Customs spokesman stressed that the Customs would continue to combat illicit cigarette activities to protect revenue. The public is urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs 24-hours hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Saturday, July 17, 2010
