Hong Kong Customs' "Clear Sky" operation combats illicit cigarette smuggling activities involving air passengers and related illicit cigarette storage centre
Hong Kong Customs has been mounting an enforcement operation codenamed "Clear Sky" since April 17, and detected illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving air passengers. Customs also raided a related illicit cigarette storage centre. A total of about 8.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $38 million and a duty potential of about $28 million, were seized. Sixty-one persons connected with the cases were arrested.
To combat the smuggling of illicit cigarettes by crime syndicates using inbound passengers, Customs has strengthened passenger clearance at the airport and enforcement against related downtown illicit cigarette storage centres.
During the operation, Customs arrested 58 passengers, aged between 20 and 57 and arriving in Hong Kong from Southeast Asian regions.
Following intelligence analysis and in-depth investigation of the cases, Customs discovered that a cigarette smuggling syndicate had been using a remote metal hut as a storage and distribution centre. The illicit cigarettes would be repackaged for local supply or transported to logistics centres for transshipment to regions with higher tobacco duty rates for profit.
Customs then took enforcement actions and raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in a metal hut in Yuen Long. A total of about 5.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized, and three persons, aged between 31 and 56, were arrested.
All the arrestees have been charged with dealing with, possessing, or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, or failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). Fifty-three of them were convicted at the Magistrates' Courts and sentenced to immediate imprisonment ranging from one month to 12 months. Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflected the seriousness of the offences.
Customs believes that the operation displayed its enforcement effectiveness in intercepting illicit cigarettes at the source. The "Clear Sky" operation is ongoing. Customs will keep strengthening passenger clearance based on risk assessment to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarette activities. Passengers are reminded not to engage in illicit cigarette smuggling and to avoid the risks of getting caught. Customs will also closely monitor illicit cigarette syndicates and continue the multipronged enforcement strategy to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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 has been mounting an enforcement operation codenamed "Clear Sky" since April 17, and detected illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving air passengers. Customs also raided a related illicit cigarette storage centre. Photo shows some of the suspected illicit cigarettes seized from a suspected illicit storage centre in a metal hut in Yuen Long. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs has been mounting an enforcement operation codenamed "Clear Sky" since April 17, and detected illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving air passengers. Customs also raided a related illicit cigarette storage centre. Photo shows some of the suspected illicit cigarettes seized at the airport. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
