Driver Convicted and Jailed for Smuggling 42,000 Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes in Hong Kong and Altering Vehicle into Smuggling Article

Incoming driver convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and making use of altered structure of vehicle for purpose of smuggling articles

A 58-year-old incoming Chinese male driver was convicted at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June22) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and making use of an altered structure of a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling articles, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO). He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently.

Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs intercepted an inbound private car at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port on April 30, 2025. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized 42000duty-not-paid cigarettes from the console box, the rear and two compartments installed underneath the vehicle. The male driver was subsequently arrested, and the private car was also seized. The total estimated market value of the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the case was about $210,000, and the duty potential was about $130,000.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products 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 $2million and imprisonment for seven years.

Moreover,smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of making use of an altered structure of a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling articles is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action.

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).

A 58-year-old incoming Chinese male driver was convicted at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 22) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and making use of an altered structure of a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling articles, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the rear. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A 58-year-old incoming Chinese male driver was convicted at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 22) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and making use of an altered structure of a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling articles, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed inside a compartment installed underneath the vehicle concerned. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

A 58-year-old incoming Chinese male driver was convicted at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 22) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and making use of an altered structure of a vehicle for the purpose of smuggling articles, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and the Import and Export Ordinance. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment for each of the charges that will run concurrently. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized and the vehicle concerned. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission convenes sixth meeting

The sixth meeting of the fourth-term Human Resources Planning Commission was held today (June 22).

At the meeting, the Office of the Government Economist briefed members on Hong Kong's latest economic performance and labour market situation. Members noted that Hong Kong's economy expanded robustly in the first quarter of 2026, growing by 5.9 per cent over a year earlier, marking the strongest economic growth in nearly five years. The labour market showed moderate improvement in recent months, with the latest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate (for March 2026 to May 2026) dropping from 3.9per cent to 3.7per cent compared with the period from November 2025 to January 2026. Looking ahead, Hong Kong's economic outlook remains largely resilient, with the real Gross Domestic Product growth forecast for 2026 projected at 2.5per cent to 3.5per cent.

In addition, the Security Bureau briefed members on the various immigration facilitation measures for the public and businesses. These included measures facilitating the southbound and northbound two-way flow of talent, and visa and immigration facilitation measures. Through the immigration facilitation measures for the public and businesses, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government will actively align with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and fully leverage Hong Kong's unique role as a "super connector" under "one country, two systems" to better integrate into and serve the overall national development. Members welcomed the enhancement measures, noting that they would further enrich Hong Kong's talent ecosystem and inject new momentum into the city's long-term economic development.

Members also noted that the Health Bureau had commissioned the Hospital Authority (HA) to carry out a new round of healthcare manpower projections this year. The purpose of the projection exercise is to ensure that there are sufficient healthcare professionals to meet the ever-evolving demand for healthcare services in society, and that the relevant training policies remain aligned with actual circumstances. The Government and the HA will further refine the methodology for this round of projection and promote data collection simultaneously. This includes systematically compiling relevant data such as overall service volume statistics, human resource distribution, and local training scale from the industry and various medical specialties. Views regarding future population changes and the status of technology application raised by members will be incorporated. The results are expected to be published in mid-2027. Based on the projection results, the Government will revisit the existing strategies for local healthcare manpower in tandem with the next University Grants Committee triennium, as well as the reviews of other schemes, in making further recommendations on the relevant healthcare training places. With a continuously ageing population, the demand for healthcare services is facing structural growth. Members supported the HKSAR Government's proactive efforts in conducting the healthcare manpower projection, utilising data analysis to guide policy and service planning, thereby enhancing the precision and forward-looking nature of public health policies.

Source: AI-found images