Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin
Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin yesterday (June 22). A total of about 1.48 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The total estimated market value was about $6.7 million, while the duty potential was about $4.9 million.
Customs officers raided a large metal hut in Ki Lun Tsuen in San Tin yesterday afternoon and seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes. Customs believes that, to evade attention, criminals used the metal hut located in a remote and sparsely populated area as a concealed base for storing and supplying illicit cigarettes to Yuen Long.
The case is under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), any person who 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 are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $46 million
Hong Kong Customs on June 19, yesterday (June 22) and today (June 23) seized a total of about 100 kilograms of suspected ketamine and 3.5kg of suspected etomidate with an estimated market value of about $46 million. Two people were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs on June 19 inspected an air cargo consignment from the Netherlands, declared as water-based primer paint, arriving at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers detected suspicious X-ray images on the consignment and found a total of about 100kg of suspected ketamine concealed in a batch of paint cans.
After an in-depth investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested a 63-year-old man and a 28-year-old man in Kwun Tong. Subsequently, Customs officers searched an industrial building unit in Kwun Tong, and found therein a batch of equipment for dismantling consignments.
Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today further seized a Malaysia-bound parcel, suspected to be connected with this case, in an express centre in Yuen Long and found therein 3.5kg of suspected etomidate.
An investigation of the case is ongoing. The possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
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 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 dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $46 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $46 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
