Hong Kong Customs Busts Underground Cigarette Factory, Seizes $220 Million in Illicit Tobacco Products

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling

Hong Kong Customs shut down an underground cigarette factory in Fanling yesterday (April 9), and seized about 31.92 tons of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco and 1.23 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarette. The total estimated market value of all seizure was about $220 million, while the duty potential was about $130 million. Six persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

After in-depth investigation, Customs Officers identified a large metal hut in Ping Che, Fanling. Customs raided the metal hut yesterday morning and found a complete illegal cigarette production line which included machines for producing and packaging illicit cigarettes, a large amount of raw materials used for manufacturing illicit cigarettes and finished illicit cigarette products. Five men and one woman, aged between 21 and 52, were arrested at the scene.

The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the batch of raw materials of the illicit cigarettes and the production line-related machines. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Customs reminds members of the public that they must be vigilant when purchasing cigarettes. They should patronise reputable merchants or stores and not purchase cigarettes from unknown sources to avoid threats to their health.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), a person shall not, except under and in accordance with a licence, manufacture tobacco. Besides, 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 shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs shuts down underground cigarette factory in Fanling Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi

Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Tsing Yi yesterday (April 10) in which a woman died.

Police received a report at about 10.09pm yesterday that a lorry driven by a 35-year-old man reportedly rammed into a stationary private car while travelling along Lantau Link towards Tung Chung.

A 54-year-old male private car driver sustained multiple injuries to his head and limbs, while a 57-year-old female private car passenger was suffering from chest pain and a 15-year-old male private car passenger sustained no superficial injury. They were sent to the Princess Margaret Hospital in conscious state. Another 82-year-old female private car passenger sustained head and hand injuries and was rushed to Yan Chai Hospital in unconscious state, she was certified dead at 11.13pm on the same day.

The lorry driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and is being detained for further enquiries.

Investigation by the Special Investigation Team of Traffic, New Territories South is under way.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3661 1346.

Source: AI-found images