HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs stepped up enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes before Christmas. A suspected case of using cross-boundary truck to smuggle about 2.7 million sticks of illicit cigarettes was detected.
Customs officers intercepted an incoming cross-boundary truck. After X-ray examination and thorough inspection by Customs officers, about 2.7 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were found in 212 carton boxes mix-loaded with other goods.
The total market value of the cigarettes was about $7.6 million with a duty potential of about $5.3 million. A 42-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck involved was detained. Investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to undertake stringent enforcement against illicit cigarette activities to protect government revenue.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence.
The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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