Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) seized about 18 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $50,000 and a duty potential of about $30,000 in Yau Ma Tei.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Yau Ma Tei yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a man and a woman and found about 1 000 suspected illicit cigarettes in the man's possession. Later, Customs officers further seized about 17 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from the woman's flat in the district.

     The 29-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested. 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).