​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 11) seized about 1.44 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $3.96 million and a duty potential of about $2.74 million in Kwai Chung.
Through intelligence analysis, Customs yesterday identified a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying card holders, prepared to be shipped to Australia at a logistics centre in the Kwai Chung Container Terminals. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside the consignment.
An investigation is ongoing.
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.
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).
