Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products
Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to four months' and six months' imprisonment respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 30) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO). One of them was also fined $1,500.
Customs officers intercepted a 27-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on July 28. About 42 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $127,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment today in contravention of the IEO.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on August 4. About 10 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 26 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $118,000 and a duty potential of about $33,000 in total, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,500 in contravention of the DCO, and was also sentenced to six months' imprisonment in contravention of the IEO today. The sentences will run concurrently.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the IEO, 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 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).
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation
Hong Kong Customs conducted a large-scale anti-narcotics operation at Hong Kong International Airport from October 1 to December 31 last year to combat drug trafficking activities by aviation channels. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies detected a total of 183 drug cases, seizing around 1.4 tons of suspected drugs including ketamine, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin, with an estimated market value of over $431 million. Sixty-two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
During the operation, Hong Kong Customs collaborated with 16 Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, maintained close and real-time exchange of intelligence and conducted joint assessments to effectively track and intercept drug trafficking activities. The Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, Macao Judiciary Police, German Customs, French Customs, New Zealand Customs Service and Thai Customs Department also successfully detected drug trafficking cases in their respective regions.
Customs has been closely monitoring the trends of drug markets and smuggling channels, and has strived to intercept drug trafficking activities at import, transit and export levels based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. Customs will continue to make necessary adjustments in strategy and deployments in accordance with changes in the drug trafficking trends, and deepen co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies to fight against cross-boundary narcotics trafficking activities.
Customs 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.
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.
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 seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
