Two Passengers Sentenced for Smuggling Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes in Hong Kong

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming passengers were each sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (January 14) 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 a 67-year-old incoming female passenger on January 2 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and seized 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $2,300 and a duty potential of about $1,900, found on her. She was subsequently arrested.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 66-year-old incoming male passenger at the same control point on January 4, and seized 421 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1,700 and a duty potential of about $1,300, found on him. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have 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).

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes 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