Hong Kong Customs detects three seaborne illicit cigarette smuggling cases with seizure worth about $128 million
Hong Kong Customs detected three illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving seaborne containers on July 11, July 17 and August 7 in Kwai Chung. A total of about 28.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $128 million and a duty potential of about $94 million were seized.
Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs on July 11 and 17 selected and inspected two 40-foot seaborne containers, arriving from Singapore and re-exported to the Mainland and declared as carrying plastic particles and beddings, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized a total of about 20.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the two containers.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs on August 7 inspected a 40-foot seaborne container, arriving in Hong Kong from Singapore and declared as carrying plastic pellets, at the same compound. About 8 million suspected illicit cigarettes were further seized.
Investigations of the three cases are ongoing.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat smuggling of illicit cigarettes. Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Hong Kong Customs detects three seaborne illicit cigarette smuggling cases with seizure worth about $128 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three seaborne illicit cigarette smuggling cases with seizure worth about $128 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government sets up inter-departmental dedicated investigation team to investigate business suspension of chain fitness and beauty group
The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is highly concerned about the temporary business suspension announced by a chain fitness and beauty group on September 6. An inter-departmental dedicated investigation team has been set up with a view to handling the cases as soon as possible.
Hong Kong Customs and the Police will conduct intensive investigation into offences under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) with respect to the unfair trade practices and whether other criminal offences are involved respectively. Should there be any violation found, the authorities will take appropriate enforcement action.
As of 4pm today (September 10), Customs and the Police had received 733 and 19 complaints respectively regarding the chain group concerned.
Customs appeals to consumers who have purchased fitness or beauty services from the chain group to contact Customs as soon as possible.Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Consumers are also reminded to procure services at reputable shops and consider prudently before making decisions for consumption with prepayment. After purchasing services, they should keep the relevant records, such as transaction receipts and contracts, which can become basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
In response to the above incident, the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Police has set up a task force to investigate into the fraud and false statement offences. The police urge members of the public to report any relevant information to the Police's 24-hour hotline 2860 5012.
Source: AI-generated images
