Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 31) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers first intercepted the incoming 82-year-old local female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 5 and seized 1 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested, charged and released on bail pending trial. The woman later re-entered Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 24. Customs officers further seized 1 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again and charged. A total of 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated total market value of about $13,000 and a total duty potential of about $10,500 were seized in the two interceptions.
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, 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
S for S inspects Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, inspected the Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area today (July 31) and received briefings from relevant departments on the Port's facilities preparations. He also chaired an interdepartmental working group meeting to make every effort to advance all preparatory work before the Port opens.
After arriving at the Hong Kong Port Area of the Huanggang Port Building, Mr Tang toured multiple levels, including the public transport interchange; passenger clearance halls (arrival and departure); vehicle clearance facilities (arrival and departure) and the immigration clearance hall for on-board passengers. He also conducted on-site reviews of the installation progress of different facilities, including the "collaborative inspection" automated channels and manual counters; and the "joint one-stop" vehicle lanes, etc. He then had an interdepartmental meeting with representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau, Transport Department, Highways Department, Architectural Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Government Property Agency, Hong Kong Police Force, Fire Services Department, Immigration Department, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Department of Health and other relevant departments to discuss works progress, testing and drill arrangements, with a view to ensuring that Port's facilities and operational arrangements are sound and comprehensive.
The Hong Kong Port Area was established at 00.00 hours today and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with the laws of the HKSAR. The HKSAR Government will continue to work closely with the Shenzhen side to take forward various preparatory tasks in an orderly manner, including system testing, and operational and emergency drills, to ensure that all facilities and operational arrangements at the Port are sound and comprehensive. Upon confirmation by both sides that the Port is ready for safe and smooth operation, the governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong will finalise the official opening date and make an announcement to the public in due course.
S for S inspects Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
S for S inspects Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
S for S inspects Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
S for S inspects Huanggang Port Hong Kong Port Area Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
