Two passengers sentenced for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes at Hong Kong International Airport.

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $300, and six weeks' imprisonment and fined $500, respectively by the courts today (December 15) for importing and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 21-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 14). Around 10 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $48,600 and a duty potential of about $35,700, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $500 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday and seized 5 800 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $23,000 and a duty potential of about $19,000 from her personal baggage. She was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $300 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.

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, 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 importing and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

WSD appeals to public to remain vigilant to fraudulent WSD website

The Water Supplies Department (WSD) today (December 15) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent WSD website address (wsdgov[.]com), which asks recipients to pay water bills via a hyperlink provided.

The WSD stresses that the fraudulent website has no connection with the WSD and has reported the case to the Police. The spokesman said that members of the public who have registered for the WSD's electronic services account and e-billing service must complete verification on the WSD website (www.wsd.gov.hk) before they can view their e-bills and obtain the Faster Payment System QR code on the bill for making payments.

Members of the public should stay alert when receiving any unidentified emails or messages, and not visit any suspicious websites and disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or other suspcious websites should contact the Police. For enquiries, please call the WSD's customer services hotline at 2824 5000.

Source: AI-found images