​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 1) raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage in Mong Kok and seized about 3.7 million suspected illicit cigarettes at the storage and a private car suspected to be involved. The estimated market value was about $14 million, with a duty potential of about $9.2 million.
During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Mong Kok last night, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside a shop and a private car parked outside the shop. Two men and a woman, aged between 44 and 53, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
The three arrested persons will be charged with "dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies" and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 3).
Customs believes that the operation has successfully intercepted the supply of illicit cigarettes in Yau Tsim Mong District. The department will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will also continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multi-pronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses 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/Thursday, March 2, 2023