Two incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming air passengers were each sentenced to five months' imprisonment by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on July 4 for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109). One of them was also fined $1,000.
Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a special enforcement operation to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities involving air passengers. A 39-year-old Macao female passenger and a 28-year-old Mainland male passenger, arriving in Hong Kong from Tokyo, Japan, were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on July 3. A total of about 53 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $240,000 and a duty potential of about $176,000, were seized from their personal baggage.
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 and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account(crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Two incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
