Hong Kong Customs on October 24 raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre and seized about 1.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $3.2 million and a duty potential of about $2.3 million in Fo Tan.
Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Fo Tan that night and seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in an industrial unit and a private car. During the operation, a 39-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested, and the private car suspected to be involved in the case has been detained.
An investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds members of the public that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. 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 26, 2022
