Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing pharmaceutical injections containing Part I poisons
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 21) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as possessing poison included in Part I of the Poisons List in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO).
Customs officers intercepted a 24-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on June 24 and seized 41 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $209,000 and a duty potential of about $138,000, as well as two pieces of pharmaceutical injections containing Part I poisons, with an estimated market value of about $5,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
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.
Under the PPO, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two 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/en/).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing pharmaceutical injections containing Part I poisons Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and possessing pharmaceutical injections containing Part I poisons Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Kuala Lumpur (HKETO Kuala Lumpur), the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) and the Film Development Fund (FDF) jointly supported the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation - Kuala Lumpur organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy. The film gala opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (August 21), showcasing six acclaimed Hong Kong films alongside a dedicated cinematic exhibition.
Speaking at the gala opening ceremony, the Director of the HKETO Kuala Lumpur, Mr Owin Fung, emphasised the importance of cinema in strengthening regional and cultural connectivity. "Our collaboration leverages the unique soft power of Hong Kong cinema to strengthen people-to-people ties across Malaysia and the broader ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) community. This event goes beyond screenings. It serves as a premier platform for filmmakers and producers from both places to exchange concepts and cultivate robust co-production opportunities," Mr Fung said.
The Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, also attended the opening ceremony. She said that this is the fifth consecutive year that the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation has been organised in Kuala Lumpur. Over the years, the Presentation has become a signature film event for the CCIDA in Malaysia, reflecting the growing popularity of Hong Kong films among audiences from Malaysia and other member states of ASEAN. She added that the line-up this year features an array of Hong Kong films of different genres in the hope of maximising the viewing experience of the audiences, including some that were supported by the FDF under the CCIDA, and have achieved both box office success and international acclaim.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation 2026 opened with the compelling drama "Afterpiece". Over the subsequent days, the event will screen five other notable films, including "Wakesurf Lovers", "Unidentified Murder", "Bird of Paradise", "Palimpsest: The story of a name", and "Dog Day Evening".
More than 150 guests attended the event, including filmmakers, actors, and cinema representatives from Hong Kong and Malaysia.
In tandem with the screenings, an immersive exhibition titled "Prisms Pulse: Hong Kong Cinema in Full Color" is being held at Aurum Theatre, The Exchange TRX, showcasing the visual aesthetics and dynamic energy of contemporary Hong Kong cinema. Admission is free.
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKETO Kuala Lumpur brings Hong Kong cinematic charm to Malaysian audiences Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
