Hong Kong Customs today (March 23) seized about 200 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $600,000 and a duty potential of about $400,000 in Sheung Shui.
Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sheung Shui this afternoon and intercepted a light goods vehicle suspected of distributing illicit cigarettes. The batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was seized on board the vehicle.
The 69-year-old male driver and the 56-year-old male passenger were arrested and the light goods vehicle was detained.
An investigation is ongoing.
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/Monday, March 23, 2020
