Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (2)
An incoming Mainland male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 3) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted the incoming 39-year-old Mainland male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on August 1 and seized 869 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $3,900, and the duty potential was about $2,800. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
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).
An incoming Mainland male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 3) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the 39-year-old incoming mainland male passenger concealing duty-not-paid cigarettes around his back, waist and both lower legs with plastic tape. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
An incoming Mainland male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 3) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the 39-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger concealing duty-not-paid cigarettes around his back, waist and both lower legs with plastic tape, covered by his clothes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH announces latest situation regarding Legionnaires' disease cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 3) reported the latest number of Legionnaires' disease (LD) cases, and reminded the public of the importance of using and maintaining properly designed man-made water systems, adding that susceptible groups should strictly observe relevant precautions.
From July 26 to August 1, the CHP recorded nine LD cases, including eight community-acquired cases and one imported case, involving four males and five females aged between 51 to 101. Details are as follows:
Community-acquired cases
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- a 51-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Southern District;
- a 56-year-old male with good past health living in Yau Tsim Mong District;
- a 62-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Yau Tsim Mong District;
- a 70-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Eastern District;
- a 71-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District; and
- an 80-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District;
- an 87-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in Sha Tin District; and
- a 101-year-old female with underlying illnesses living in North District.
The CHP is conducting epidemiological investigations to identify the potential sources of infection and high-risk exposure. An initial investigation revealed that the eight community-acquired cases are sporadic cases. No epidemiological linkages have been established between these cases and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
Imported case
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- A 54-year-old male with underlying illnesses who travelled to the Chinese Mainland during the incubation period.
As of August 1, 107 LD cases had been recorded this year. In 2025 and 2024, there were 167 and 135 LD cases respectively.
Men, people aged over 50, smokers, alcoholics and persons with weakened immunity are more susceptible to LD. Some situations may also increase the risk of infection, including poor maintenance of water systems; living in areas with old water systems, cooling towers or fountains; using electric water heaters, whirlpool spas or hot water spring spas; and recent stays in hotels or ships.
Legionellae are found in various environmental settings and grow well in warm water (20 to 45 degrees Celsius). They can be found in aqueous environments such as water tanks, hot and cold water systems, cooling towers, whirlpool spas, water fountains, humidifiers and home respiratory devices that support breathing. People may become infected when they breathe in contaminated droplets (aerosols) and mist generated by artificial water systems, or when handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes.
Immunocompromised persons should:
- Use sterile or boiled water for drinking, tooth brushing and mouth rinsing;
- Avoid using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices; and
- If using humidifiers, or other mist- or aerosol-generating devices, fill the water tank with only sterile or cooled freshly boiled water, and not water directly from the tap. Also, clean and maintain humidifiers/devices regularly according to manufacturers' instructions. Never leave stagnant water in a humidifier/device. Empty the water tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and change the water daily.
The public should observe the health advice below:
- Observe personal hygiene;
- Do not smoke and avoid alcohol consumption;
- Strainers in water taps and shower heads should be inspected, cleaned, descaled and disinfected regularly or at a frequency recommended by the manufacturer;
- If a fresh-water plumbing system is properly maintained, it is not necessary to install domestic water filters. Use of water filters is not encouraged as clogging occurs easily, which can promote growth of micro-organisms. In case water filters are used, the pore size should be 0.2 micrometres (µm) or less and the filter needs to be changed periodically according to the manufacturer's recommendations;
- Drain and clean water tanks of buildings at least quarterly;
- Drain or purge for at least one minute infrequently used water outlets (e.g. water taps, shower heads and hot water outlets) and stagnant points of the pipework weekly or before use;
- Seek and follow doctors' professional advice regarding the use and maintenance of home respiratory devices and use only sterile water (not distilled or tap water) to clean and fill the reservoir. Clean and maintain the device regularly according to the manufacturer's instructions. After cleaning/disinfection, rinse the device with sterile water, cooled freshly boiled water or water filtered with 0.2 µm filters. Never leave stagnant water in the device. Empty the water tank, keep all surfaces dry, and change the water daily; and
- When handling garden soil, compost and potting mixes:
- Wear gloves and a face mask;
- Water gardens and compost gently using low pressure;
- Open composted potting mixes slowly and make sure the opening is directed away from the face;
- Wet the soil to reduce dust when potting plants; and
- Avoid working in poorly ventilated places such as enclosed greenhouses.
The public may visit the CHP's LD page, the Code of Practice for Prevention of LD and the Housekeeping Guidelines for Cold and Hot Water Systems for Building Management of the Prevention of LD Committee, and the CHP's risk-based strategy for prevention and control of LD.
Additionally, as smokers and alcoholics are more susceptible to LD, the Government urges members of the public to quit smoking and avoid drinking. Members of the public may call the DH Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline at 1833 183, which is answered by registered nurses who provide professional counselling and referrals to a wide range of free smoking cessation services. The public may also visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation. The DH has also developed and promulgated the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention tool to primary healthcare service providers to facilitate the early identification and management of at-risk drinkers. For information on alcohol-related harm, please visit the DH's Change for Health website.
The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image
