Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth over $47 million (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 20) seized about 17.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $47.5 million and a duty potential of about $32.9 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through intelligence analysis, Customs officers yesterday selected for inspection two seaborne containers, declared as carrying plastic materials and wires respectively, arriving from Thailand. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside the containers.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue its intelligence analysis and risk assessment 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).