HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs smashed a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse in Kwun Tong and seized about 100,000 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes here the other day. The total value of the seizure was about $270,000 with a duty potential of about $190,000.
After in-depth investigation, Customs officers suspected a premises in an industrial building at Kwun Tong to be an illicit cigarette storehouse and took enforcement action at noon today. About 100 000 sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were seized from the premises and a 26-year-old man was arrested.
Customs will continue to undertake stringent enforcement against illicit cigarette activities to protect 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.
