Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 10) seized about 2.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million and a duty potential of about $3.9 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers yesterday selected for inspection a seaborne container, declared as carrying food, arriving in Hong Kong from Vietnam. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes mix-loaded with other goods inside the container.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source to combat illicit cigarette activities.

     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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).