Two men sentenced for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, facing imprisonment and fines under Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.

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

Two incoming male passengers were sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, respectively, by the Courts today (June 22) 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 34-year-old local male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on June 13 and seized 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $13,000 and a duty potential of about $10,500. The man was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today.

In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 44-year-old Chinese male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 21) and seized about 17 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $73,000 and a duty potential of about $59,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $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).

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected etomidate trafficking case

Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected dangerous drugs trafficking case on June 19 at the Lo Wu Control Point.A suspected etomidate capsule and an e-cigarette smoking device were seized.

Customs officers intercepted a 47-year-old local man at the Departure Hall of the Lo Wu Control Point for Customs clearance in the afternoon that day. Upon examination, a suspected etomidate capsule and an e-cigarette smoking device were found in a sock worn by the man. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigations, which are ongoing.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour report 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 detects suspected etomidate trafficking case Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases