Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 6) seized about 820 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million and a duty potential of about $1.6 million at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming container truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday. After inspection, the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found concealed inside a batch of children's stationary sets placed inside 50 cartons mix-loaded with other goods on board the container truck.
The 58-year-old male driver was arrested and the container truck was detained.
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.
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, May 7, 2020
