Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 10) seized about 2.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million and a duty potential of about $3.9 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday selected for inspection a seaborne container, declared as carrying food, arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes mix-loaded with other goods inside the container.
Investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source to combat illicit cigarette activities.
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.
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, August 11, 2021
