Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 27) seized about 400 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million and a duty potential of about $800,000 in Kowloon Bay.
Acting on information, Customs officers searched a truck at a logistics site in Kowloon Bay yesterday and found the suspected illicit cigarettes mix-loaded with other goods onboard the truck in 50 carton boxes.
The 53-year-old male driver was arrested and the 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.
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 the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
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