Hong Kong Customs detects four illicit cigarette smuggling cases and shuts down illicit cigarette packaging and storage centre with seizure worth about $69 million
Hong Kong Customs earlier detected four cases of cigarette smuggling in Kwai Chung and, upon follow-up investigation, raided an illicit cigarette packaging and storage centre in Sheung Shui on December 3. A total of about 12.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 2 000 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco with a total estimated market value of about $69 million and a duty potential of about $49 million were seized.
Customs in the past few months detected four cases of exporting smuggled cigarettes at the same logistics centre in Kwai Chung. A total of about 4.8 million suspected illicit cigarettes and about 2 000kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco were seized in several batches of goods destined for Australia.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs on December 3 took action and raided a metal warehouse in Sheung Shui, seizing 7.5 million suspected illicit cigarettes and a large batch of packaging tools and dismantling an illicit cigarette packaging and storage centre. During the operation, Customs officers arrested three men, aged between 41 and 75, who were suspected to be connected with the case. They comprised a driver and two packers.
Initial investigations revealed that the syndicate used remote places to store illicit cigarettes. After repackaging and mixed with some lamps and clothes as disguise, the illicit cigarettes were transported to the logistics centre concerned in Kwai Chung and planned to be shipped to Australia for profit.
Investigations of the cases are ongoing, and the three arrested men were released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarettes activities. 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.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Hong Kong Customs detects four illicit cigarette smuggling cases and shuts down illicit cigarette packaging and storage centre with seizure worth about $69 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects four illicit cigarette smuggling cases and shuts down illicit cigarette packaging and storage centre with seizure worth about $69 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College
Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), Dr Starry Lee, inspected the passing-out parade for 37 probationary inspectors and 195 recruit police constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (January 25) and witnessed the moment they became the new blood of the Force.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr Lee said that the duty of the police officers bears the trust of the community, adding that the graduates would officially become the guardians of Hong Kong's rule of law and shoulder the mission of maintaining law and order in the community. She believed that being a police officer is not only a profession, but also a commitment and a dedication to the society.
She continued that the graduates had experienced multiple physical and mental challenges during the training, ranging from physical exercise to tactical training; as well as from legal knowledge to adaptability. Each of the course not only brings the improvement of skills, but also the development of tenacity, and such perseverance being developed would be attribute for their career development.
Noting that Hong Kong is an international metropolis with a complex and rapidly changing security landscape, Dr Lee believed that law enforcement officers should possess a high degree of professionalism and sound psychological quality. She added that the graduates would face different challenges, from dealing with emergencies to handling social conflicts; and from combating crimes to serving citizens, each of their duty is related to the safety of Hong Kong citizens and social stability. Meanwhile, the modus operandi of crimes has become more complicated, coupled with new challenges emerging from technology crime, online fraud and transnational crime. As such, she encouraged the graduates to keep pace with the times, and keep learning to be more professional and resilient in coping with various challenges ahead in their career.
She also pointed out that as part of the country, Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability hinges on the national development. She hoped that the graduates can uphold the spirit of patriotism and love the city, make every effort to safeguard national security and maintain the successful implementation of "one country, two systems".
She emphasised that police are not only the law enforcers, but also the guardians of the citizens; and the Police’s professionalism, fairness and responsibility in serving the public are essential for gaining public support. Therefore, she hoped the police to uphold their integrity and honesty, and carry out every task cautiously at all time, so as to let the public feel the professionalism and care of the Force.
Finally, she encouraged the graduates to remain true to their original aspiration and take upholding social justice as their responsibility, thereby becoming the trusted guardians of the citizens and a driving force of the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.
NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
NPC Standing Committee member inspects passing-out parade at HK Police College Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
