HONG KONG: Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation against illicit cigarette activities in the past two weeks and seized about 510 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million and a duty potential of about $970,000. ​Customs officers seized the suspected illicit cigarettes from places including a private flat, a public housing unit and a factory unit, and arrested seven men and three women aged between 22 and 54.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years. ​Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
