HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs found 1.9 million cigarettes stashed inside 76 sofas on a truck crossing into the territory via the Man Kam To Control Point.
The 47-year-old man driving the truck was arrested and the vehicle detained for further investigation.
The shipment, which claimed to be made up of 977 cartons of “assorted goods”, was inspected by officials, who found the misshapen sofas containing numerous boxes of cigarettes.
It is thought the total market value of the haul is around HKD5,1 million with a duty potential of HKD3.6 million.
The driver could face a fine of HKD2 million and seven years in jail if found guilty of smuggling.
A spokesman said yesterday, “Hong Kong Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement action against the smuggling of illicit cigarettes at boundary control points.”
