Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession and importation of duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $800 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 12) for importing goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) applies, possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of DCO.
Customs officers intercepted a 40-year-old incoming male passenger and his accompanying child on December 5 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The officers found a total of 2,381 duty-not-paid cigarettes on the man and from the backpack carried by the child. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $9,700 and the duty potential was about $7,800. The male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,000.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old incoming female passenger at the same control point on December 10, and seized 1,600 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $6,500 and a duty potential of about $5,200, from a backpack in her possession. The female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $800.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. 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, 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.
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 possession and importation of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession and importation of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention
The Hong Kong Police Force held the “Good Citizen Award (GCA) Presentation Ceremony 2025” at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre today (March 14) to commend 80 members of the public for their assistance in combating crime and saving lives, and to present the “Good Organisation Award” to six organisations in recognition of their active support for the Police in promoting anti-deception initiatives, fighting crime, safeguarding national security and fostering youth development.
Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, highlighted that the GCA Scheme, launched in 1973, has honoured nearly 4 800 good citizens to date, fully demonstrating Hong Kong citizens’ spirit of mutual help and courage in doing what is right. He expressed appreciation for the awardees for offering assistance and making the right choice at critical moments, which echoed this year’s theme, “Good Citizen–A Flash Moment–Be United”. He added that calm judgment in a flash moment helps members of the public avoid scammers’ traps. He urged the public to make good use of “Scameter+”, a mobile app launched by the Police, to identify suspicious calls and websites, and to think twice before disclosing personal or account data, or engaging in money transactions.
He added that this year’s six “Good Organisation Award” recipients have actively fulfilled their corporate social responsibilities by bringing anti-scam and anti-drug messages into the community, thereby supporting police efforts. He said that the Police would continue working hand in hand with the public, organisations and stakeholders from all sectors of the community to transform every “flash moment” of kindness into a strong, lasting force safeguarding our home.
Another officiating guest, the Chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), Hong Kong, Dr Jonathan Choi, noted that the recipients of the GCA came from different sectors and backgrounds, yet they all shared the same willingness to act as “guardians” by assisting the Police in preventing crime. He said that the CGCC would continue to encourage the business community to promote the good citizen spirit, so as to make Hong Kong a better place to live and work. Fight Crime Committee member, Ms Cecilia Ho, said that by asking just one more question and taking one more step at critical moments, these individual efforts by members of the public can unite to become the Police’s strongest support in combating crime and saving lives.
In 2025, a total of 80 GCA awardees were commended for assisting the Police in preventing and detecting crime, arresting offenders and saving lives. The “Good Citizen of the Year Award” (GCYA) was presented to Mr Leung Ho-yin, who bravely rescued three people from drowning after they fell into the sea during Super Typhoon Ragasa in Hong Kong last year.
The GCA Scheme is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fight Crime Committee, with support from the CGCC since 2025. Each awardee receives a cash prize of $4,000, and the GCYA recipient receives $6,000, in recognition of their courage in upholding what is right.
A brand new promotional video series, “A Flash Moment of Good Citizens”, premiered at the ceremony. Adapted from four award-winning cases of 2025, it features the award winners themselves starring in and portraying their pivotal “flash moment” good citizen stories. The videos will be uploaded to the Police Force’s Facebook and YouTube channel.
Source: AI-found images
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Eighty citizens and six organisations commended for supporting Police in crime prevention Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
