Hong Kong Customs Seizes 1 Million Illicit Cigarettes, Arrests One in Sham Shui Po Operation

Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po

Hong Kong Customs shut down two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po today (July 16), seizing a total of about 1 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $4.5 million and a duty potential of about $3.3 million. One 45-year old non-local man was arrested.

Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sham Shui Po this afternoon and spotted a suspicious man moving some carton boxes near an illicit cigarette black spot in Kweilin Street. Customs officers then intercepted the man and found about 70 000 suspected illicit cigarettes. After follow-up investigations, about 80 000 and about 850 000 illicit cigarettes were uncovered respectively from two units at a nearby rear lane.

After preliminary investigations, Customs believes that the two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres have been operating for about three months, supplying illicit cigarettes to the aforesaid black spot. An investigation is ongoing.

Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Thunder" since last week to combat illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities, including illicit cigarette storage centres, black spots and peddling. Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. 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 raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Online public voting begins for EDB's Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge

Online public voting for the Family Resilience Series: Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge under the Positive Parent Campaign organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) commences today (January 5) and runs until 3pm on January 19. Parents, students, teachers and members of the public are invited to participate actively in voting for The Most Liked Award across each group.

A spokesman for the EDB said, "The competition has received an enthusiastic response, with over 1 200 entries submitted across four groups: kindergarten, primary, secondary and open groups. Participants conveyed messages about actively facing life's challenges, building resilience, and promoting mental well-being in different ways. To encourage public participation and enhance the interactivity of the competition, the EDB has established The Most Liked Award in each group. Members of the public may vote for their favourite entry in each group through the activity website (www.parent.edu.hk/en/smart-parent-net/topics/article/ppc-competition2025) from the 20 outstanding entries selected by the adjudicators. The entry receiving the most 'likes' in each group will be awarded The Most Liked Award. The result and awards will be announced and presented at the Parent-Child FUNtastic Free Verse Challenge Final cum Prize Presentation Ceremony on January 24."

The EDB aims to enhance the understanding of the Positive Parent Campaign among students, parents, and the public through activities under the Family Resilience Series, and to work with parents and schools to create an environment conducive to the healthy development of students through promoting the 4Rs Mental Health Charter.

The EDB has been running the Positive Parent Campaign since June 2020. For updates, please visit the Smart Parent Net website (www.parent.edu.hk/en).

Photo source: parent.edu.hk