Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' and two months' imprisonment respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 23) 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 46-year-old incoming female passenger and her accompanying child at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (April 22). Officers discovered that the female passenger had concealed 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $5,660 and a duty potential of about $4,560, in the backpack carried by her accompanying child. The female passenger was subsequently arrested, and she was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 50-year-old male passenger at the same control point on the same day and seized 5 441 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $22,300, and the duty potential was about $17,900. The male passenger was subsequently arrested, and he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment by the Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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).
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day
The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (April 23), on the third Hong Kong Reading for All Day, collaborated with stakeholders to set up reading locations for "Read Together for Half an Hour" activities to further promote reading to the public.
The HKPL and the Hans Andersen Club also co-organised the "Joyful Family Reading Carnival" at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre, where a reading area was set up for the "Read together for Half an Hour" event. Artiste Poon Fong-fong and authors of children's picture books, Amy Chai and Kathy Chan, shared with participants their views on how to step into the wonderful world of stories through reading. There were also interactive workshops for participants to share stories after reading a story book, through drawing and transforming their pictures into animations to project onto a video screen, to experience the joy of witnessing stories coming to life from pages to reality.
Also, at the "Read Together for Half an Hour" activity at the Hong Kong Central Library, Harry Wong performed a puppet show, through which he shared with students how reading has become the bridge to the hearts of his family, inspired his thinking and shaped his life.
"Read Together for Half an Hour" is one of the activities of the Hong Kong Reading Week 2026 (HKRW). The LCSD provided a variety of books at different reading locations today, including the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, the Hong Kong Railway Museum, the Oil Street Art Space, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Tsuen Wan Sports Centre, Kowloon Park Sports Centre, Hang Hau Sports Centre and individual public libraries, for public participation in reading together. "Read Together for Half an Hour" activities were also held today at 2026 Hong Kong Reading+ at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, various community libraries, higher education institutions, as well as primary and secondary schools.
The HKRW is being held from April 20 to 26. Under the theme "Delight/LIBRARY", the HKRW offers about 470 events to encourage members of the public to develop the reading habit. Activities include fun days, a music and story sharing session, and parent-child workshops, as well as videos and audio clips in which celebrities share their reading experiences and more.
All HKRW activities are free of charge, with seat reservations required for some events. For details, please visit the website: www.hkpl.gov.hk/hkrw.
LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LCSD sets up reading locations for Hong Kong Reading for All Day Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
