Woman Convicted and Jailed for Smuggling 4,122 Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes into Hong Kong

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 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 49-year-old local female passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on June 11, and seized 1 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her baby stroller. The female passenger was subsequently arrested and released on bail. Customs officers intercepted the female passenger again at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on August 22 and seized 2 941 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her and her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again. A total of 4 122 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated total market value of about $20,000 and a total duty potential of about $13,600, 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. 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 female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 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, and the personal baggage and clothing used to conceal the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized by Customs officers in the second interception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 14 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts on September 8 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 by Customs officers from the baby stroller carried by the incoming female passenger in the first interception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

EPD alerts public to fraudulent recycling subsidy scheme

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has recently received public enquiries regarding a recycling subsidy scheme purportedly jointly launched by an enterprise and the EPD. The publicity poster claimed that subsidy would be provided for recycling under the "Renewable Resource Recovery Incentive Scheme". The EPD today (November 9) urged members of the public to stay alert and not to believe in that circulating publicity poster and relevant information.

The EPD clarified that the Department has never jointly launched any project named the "Renewable Resource Recovery Incentive Scheme" with any organisations, nor has it authorised any individual or entity to use the name and logo of the EPD for such publicity. Upon review, the logos of the EPD and the related enterprise on the poster are false. The EPD has reported the case to the Police.

A spokesperson for the EPD reminded the public not to trust posters, links, or messaging software from unknown sources and not to participate in suspicious recycling subsidy activities. Members of the public should also refrain from disclosing personal data or financial information to unknown sources. Anyone who has provided personal information or conducted transactions in connection with the fraudulent recycling subsidy scheme is advised to contact the Police as soon as possible.