Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 16) seized about 1.88 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $5.17 million and a duty potential of about $3.58 million in Yuen Long.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Yuen Long yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a light goods vehicle and a private car and seized about 170 000 suspected illicit cigarettes on board the vehicles. Two men, aged 23 and 31, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized about 1.71 million suspected illicit cigarettes at a village house in Yuen Long in the evening on the same day. It is believed that a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse has been raided.

     Investigation is ongoing and the vehicles involved in the case have been detained.

     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).