Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 24) seized about 120 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $350,000 and a duty potential of about $240,000 in Tai Po.

     During an anti-illicit cigarettes operation in Tai Po yesterday, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from a sub-divided unit. A 19-year-old man and a 45-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).