Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs today (June 13) seized about 200 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $500,000 and a duty potential of about $400,000 at Man Kam To Control Point.
                
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Man Kam To Control Point this morning. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside 15 cartons packed with small tables.
 
     The 62-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.

     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).