Hong Kong Customs Seizes Over 15 Million Illicit Cigarettes in Major Operation Ahead of Lunar New Year

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities before Lunar New Year

In view of the arrival of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Thunder" from January 11 to February 12 to combat illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities at the storage, distribution and peddling levels. Over 15.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $68 million and a duty potential of about $50 million were seized. Fifty-nine persons were arrested.

During the operation, Customs officers detected 58 relevant cases in various districts and seized the above-mentioned suspected illicit cigarettes. In those cases, Customs officers raided 10 suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Kwun Tong, To Kwa Wan, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, San Tin and North Point, and two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in public rental housing (PRH) units in Sau Mau Ping and Ngau Tau Kok, and detained five vehicles suspected to be used for illicit cigarette distribution. Forty-eight men and 11 women, aged between 21 and 86, including both illicit cigarette sellers and buyers, were arrested. All the cases have been duly followed up.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities during festive periods through risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling.

If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department after the conclusion of court proceedings under the existing mechanism for follow-up action in accordance with the tenancy agreement or the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement, and the PRH tenancy may be terminated.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who 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/).

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities before Lunar New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement actions against illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities before Lunar New Year Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (February 13) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 37-year-old incoming female passenger and her accompanying child at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on February 5 and seized 2 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes on her and from the backpack carried by the child, with an estimated market value of about $9,800 and a duty potential of about $7,900. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.

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. Members of the public should not defy the law.

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 passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases