Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to 2 months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 28) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 51-year-old local male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 23 and seized 1 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $5,900 and a duty potential of about $3,900. The male passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. 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 local male passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 28) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $7.5 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (August 28) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 32 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $7.5 million were seized.
A 42-year-old British male transit passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, and planned to take a flight to London, the United Kingdom, today. During Customs clearance, the suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 32kg in total, were found in 29 bags inside his two check-in suitcases. The male was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 29).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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 today (August 28) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 32 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $7.5 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
