Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
Four incoming passengers were sentenced from four months' to seven months' imprisonment, and three of them were fined $500, by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 22) for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old incoming female passenger, a 37-year-old incoming male passenger and a 55-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on November 26, 2025. About 98 600 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $404,000 and a duty potential of about $326,000 in total, were seized from their baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
The three passengers were each sentenced to seven months' imprisonment and fined $500 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 33-year-old incoming male passenger at the airport on January 21 and seized 28 400 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $127,800 and a duty potential of about $93,800 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences impose a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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).
Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) is holding the Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition today and tomorrow (January 22 and 23). Under the theme “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future of Negotiation”, the event focuses on innovation, capacity building, and experience sharing. It brings together local, Chinese Mainland and overseas experts and practitioners to share insights through keynote speeches and panel discussions, fostering exchanges and exploring future directions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, stated that since its establishment in 1975, the Police Negotiation Cadre (PNC) has provided round-the-clock support on a secondary duty basis. Initially tasked with handling counter-terrorism and serious crime cases, the PNC later expanded its duties to include suicide intervention. In recent years, it has actively collaborated with stakeholders from different sectors, including the Education Bureau, the Hospital Authority, as well as the education and social welfare sectors, to strengthen schools’ capability in handling crises and promote psychological resilience among students. The PNC also shoulders the important mission of safeguarding national security, ensuring the harmony and stability of Hong Kong.
Mr Chow added that with over 100 members, the PNC has consistently upheld the motto “Who Cares Wins” and has successfully resolved crises and saved lives through calm analysis, active listening, and strong teamwork. He expressed his gratitude to the PNC members over the years for their selfless dedication and efforts, and to the various units for their support. He hoped that the symposium would facilitate in-depth exchanges and foster collaboration among all parties to move forward together.
The symposium has invited over 500 representatives engaged in negotiation and crisis management from Chinese Mainland, Cambodia, Dubai, Indonesia, Macau, Singapore, and Switzerland, as well as local representatives from the education and social welfare sectors.
The first day of the symposium focused on sharing local and overseas experience in crisis management, negotiation, and solutions. The PNC, together with representatives from Mainland public security authorities and the international negotiation community, explored co-operation in crisis management and exchanged views on strengthening public safety and enhancing community resilience through negotiation work. These discussions strengthened international and regional partnerships and chart a forwardlooking roadmap for negotiation development in Hong Kong. The symposium tomorrow will engage local professional groups and academia in exploring the development of school support networks, the prevention of youth suicides, and the role of artificial intelligence in the course of negotiation.
Also held at the venue was the PNC 50th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition, showcasing the contributions of the PNC in saving lives and maintaining social stability through historical photographs, memorabilia and significant negotiation cases. Looking ahead, the PNC will continue to work hand in hand with local, Chinese Mainland and international partners to resolve crises through dialogue, striving to ensure Hong Kong remains one of the safest and most stable cities in the world.
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKPF holds Hong Kong Police Negotiation Cadre 50th Anniversary Commemorative Symposium and Exhibition Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
