Hong Kong Customs mounts operation to combat illicit cigarette activities (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide anti-illicit cigarette operation codenamed "Harvest" from October 24 to today (December 11) and seized about 820 000 suspected illicit cigarettes in total with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million and a duty potential of about $1.6 million.

     During the operation, Customs officers detected a total of 117 illicit cigarettes cases and arrested 111 men and 15 women, aged between 23 and 79.

     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.

     Customs reiterates that it will continue to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

     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).