Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming local female was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 9) 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 an incoming 66-year-old local female at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on September 3 and seized 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her, with an estimated market value of about $2,900, and a duty potential of about $1,900. The female 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 female was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (September 9) 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 and the clothing used to conceal the duty-not-paid cigarettes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 10), and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million. Two persons were arrested.
A 59-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Manila, the Philippines, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed in a check-in suitcase, in his possession. The man was then arrested. After investigations, Customs officers arrested a 58-year-old Mainland male passenger who also arrived in Hong Kong from Manila, the Philippines, yesterday, and was suspected to be connected with the case.
The two arrested men have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 12).
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 to 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 also 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 detected a drug trafficking case involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 10), and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million. Two persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
