Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes and illicit heat-not-burn products (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 9) seized about 1 million suspected illicit cigarettes and 24 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products with an estimated market value of about $2.9 million and a duty potential of about $2 million in Yuen Long.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Yuen Long yesterday morning, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes and illicit HNB products from a stone hut and a private car. Two men, aged 29 and 52, suspected to be in connection with the case were arrested. The private car suspected to be involved has also been detained.

     Customs believes that a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse was raided during the operation. Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. All heat-not-burn products containing tobacco in content are also dutiable goods subject to the control of the DCO. Any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence 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).