HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected case of illicit cigarettes concealed inside a container and seized about 1.3 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in Tsing Yi last night (January 6).
Customs officers intercepted a truck last night on Hong Wan Road, Tsing Yi. After thorough inspection, about 1.3 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were found inside a false compartment of the container on the truck. The market value of the cigarettes was about $3.7 million with a duty potential of about $2.6 million.
A 35-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck together with the container were detained.
A Customs spokesman said today (January 7), “The operation showed the effectiveness of enhancing the enforcement strategy on all fronts. Customs will continue to carry out stringent enforcement against illicit cigarettes activities for protection of government revenue.”
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possessing, selling and buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty on conviction is imprisonment for two years and a fine of $1 million.
