Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about one million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.7 million and a duty potential of about $1.9 million at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (August 3).

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Shenzhen Bay Control Point around noon yesterday. A batch of suspected illicit cigarettes was found inside 81 cartons being mix-loaded with other goods on the truck.

     The 59-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 dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).