Three Passengers Sentenced for Smuggling Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes and Alternative Smoking Products in Hong Kong

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 34 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on May 1 and seized around 37 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a market value of about $188,000 and a duty potential of about $124,000, as well as around 85 000 alternative smoking products, with a market value of about $229,000, from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 yesterday.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 24, at HKIA yesterday. Customs officers seized about 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $121,000 and a duty potential of about $98,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed 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.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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).

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of the 24-year-old incoming male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and the alternative smoking products seized from the personal baggage of the 38-year-old incoming male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and the alternative smoking products seized from the personal baggage of the 34-year-old incoming male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Correctional officers stop remand person in custody from attacking staff member

Correctional officers at Stanley Prison stopped a male remand person in custody from attacking a staff member today (May 6).

At 3.37pm today, a 39-year-old male remand person in custody suddenly became emotional and attacked a correctional officer inside a shower room. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailant and applied oleoresin capsicum (OC) foam to subdue him after repeated warnings were ignored.

During the incident, the officer sustained an injury to his chest. After examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer, he was referred to a public hospital for further treatment. The assailant sustained injuries to his back and head. He did not need to be sent to a public hospital after examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer.

The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

The assailant was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in December 2024.

Source: AI-found images