Three Passengers Convicted and Jailed for Importing/Possessing Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 69-year-old female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on May 28 and seized 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $700, and the duty potential was about $600. She was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 56-year-old male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 10). Customs officers seized about 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $113,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.

Furthermore, Customs officers on the same day intercepted an incoming 49-year-old female passenger at the airport, seizing 34 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $140,000 and a duty potential of about $112,000, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts 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.

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 four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 49-year-old incoming female passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 56-year-old incoming male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed around the waist of a 69-year-old incoming female passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to four weeks' to five months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the Magistrates' Courts today (June 11) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows a 69-year-old incoming female passenger who concealed the duty-not-paid cigarettes around her waist. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police launch new features on "eTraffic Ticket Platform"

The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) launched a series of new features today (June 15) on the "e-Traffic Ticket Platform" ("eTTP") (www.etrafficticket.gov.hk) to facilitate members of the public and the transport sector in handling matters related to electronic traffic fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

The digitalisation of traffic FPNs and the "eTTP" have been operating smoothly since their launch in the middle of last year. To meet the fleet management needs of the transport sector and further facilitate the handling of FPNs against illegal parking by the public, the Police have enhanced the platform system and introduced the following four new features:

(1) Introducing multiple roles

The "eTTP" has introduced multiple roles, such as "Agent", "Agency Company" and "Designated Employee" to facilitate fleet management. Registered vehicle owners or corporate account holders can authorise designated agents or employees to handle FPNs against illegal parking for vehicles under their management, enabling more effective monitoring of the FPN status of the relevant vehicles.

(2) "Vehicle-specific QR Code"

"Vehicle-specific QR Codes" can be generated for download on the "eTTP". Upon scanning the relevant QR code via the "eTTP""s mobile application, on-duty drivers can record their driving hours. If an FPN against illegal parking is issued during that period, the on-duty drivers will receive a push notification from the application, allowing them to view the details and settle fines directly.

This new feature has been integrated with the "HKeToll Commercial Vehicle Driver" mobile application QR code, which was designed by the Transport Department for taxis. By simply scanning the "Vehicle-specific QR code", on-duty drivers can activate both systems simultaneously.

(3) Application for viewing illegal parking photos

Members of the public may apply through the "eTTP" to view photos taken by police officers during the issuance of the FPNs against illegal parking.

(4) Disputing all types of traffic FPNs through the "eTTP"

In addition to existing channels, members of the public can dispute all types of traffic FPNs directly through the "eTTP" and upload supporting documents based on the circumstances of their case. As legal proceedings are involved, identity authentication and digital signing via "iAM Smart+" are required.

To allow sufficient time for members of the public to adapt to the digitalisation of traffic FPNs, the HKPF will continue to maintain the "dual track transitional arrangement" for the time being by issuing both electronic and paper FPNs simultaneously. The HKPF will monitor the implementation status to determine a timetable for full implementation of digitalisation.

The HKPF will also continue to identify and introduce more citizen-centric features to the "eTTP". For more information and relevant user guides of the new features, please visit the dedicated website of the "eTTP" or call the hotline at 181 181.

The HKPF appeals to the public with the following anti-deception tips:

All traffic FPN SMS messages are issued under the SMS sender name "#HKPF-eTT"; any of those issued from other sender names are fraudulent;

All traffic FPN SMS messages or emails do not contain any hyperlinks. Members of the public should stay vigilant and avoid clicking on any suspicious hyperlinks or providing any personal information; and

The thematic portal of the "eTTP" has a domain ending with ".gov.hk". Websites that do not end with ".gov.hk" are not government websites.

Police launch new features on "eTraffic Ticket Platform" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases