Hong Kong Customs Seizes $32 Million in Suspected Smuggled Alternative Smoking Products, Two Arrested

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of alternative smoking product smuggling by ocean-going vessel

Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on April 29 and 30. Large batches of suspected smuggled alternative smoking products (ASPs) with an estimated market value of about $32 million were seized.

Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on the aforementioned dates selected for inspection three 40-foot containers, declared as carrying hand cream and lip gross from Korea, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 170 000 suspected ASPs inside the containers, and arrested two 59-year-old men suspected to be connected with the case.

An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.Any person who imports alternative smoking products into Hong Kong also 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 smuggling 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 detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on April 29 and 30. Large batches of suspected smuggled alternative smoking products (ASPs) with an estimated market value of about $32 million were seized. Photo shows some of the ASPs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving an ocean-going vessel at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on April 29 and 30. Large batches of suspected smuggled alternative smoking products (ASPs) with an estimated market value of about $32 million were seized. Photo shows some of the ASPs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (May 6) 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 the incoming 32-year-old male passenger yesterday (May 5) at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and seized 2 161 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $8,860 and a duty potential of about $7,140. He 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 possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases