Hong Kong Customs has stepped up enforcement before the summer holidays and mounted a territory-wide operation codenamed "Thunder" in the past three weeks to combat illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities in public rental housing (PRH). Over 1.6 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $6 million and a duty potential of about $4 million were seized.
During the operation, Customs officers detected 47 illicit cigarette cases in different districts, including Chai Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Yau Tong, Lam Tin, Kwun Tong, Sau Mau Ping, Ngau Tau Kok, Kowloon Bay, Choi Hung, Hung Hom, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai Fong, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Sheung Shui, Fanling, Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Tseung Kwan O and Sunny Bay, resulting in the above-mentioned seizures of suspected illicit cigarettes. In those cases, Customs officers raided four suspected illicit cigarette storage centres, two of which are PRH units, detained five vehicles suspected to be used for illicit cigarette distribution, and seized a batch of illicit cigarette leaflets.
In the above-mentioned cases, Customs arrested 42 men and six women, aged between 15 and 82. They include both illicit cigarette sellers and buyers. All the cases have been duly followed up.
With the summer holidays approaching, Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source before and during the holidays. If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette activities, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.
Customs reminds young people, especially students, to never become involved in illicit cigarette activities or distribute illicit cigarette flyers, to avoid creating a criminal record that affects their future.
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, June 29, 2023
