Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to 30 days' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 18) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted the 60-year-old incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on July 10 and seized 5 611 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $23,000 and a duty potential of about $18,000 from her personal belongings. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested.
The first case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 29 and 45 respectively, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in their two check-in suitcases. The two men were arrested subsequently.
In the second case, a 36-year-old British female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, via Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 30kg of suspected ketamine and two suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $12 million in her two check-in suitcases and carry-on baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
The third case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 24 and 26, arrived in Hong Kong today from Xiamen and Bangkok,Thailand, respectively. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about of 3.3kg of suspected cannabis buds and one duty-not-paid cigarette with a total estimated market value of about $770,000 in the baggage of the 24-year-old man. The 24-year-old man and the 26-year-old man connected to the case were subsequently arrested.
The two arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (September 10). Investigations of the second and third cases are ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will also continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking 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 three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
