Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 12) 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 55-year-old local female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on October 10 and seized 381 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from her. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $1,900, and the duty potential was about $1,260. 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. 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 11) detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 9.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1.98 million.
In the first case, a 30-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 4.3kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 36-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Vietnam, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 5.5kg of suspected cannabis buds from his two check-in baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested men in both cases have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The two cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 13).
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 detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
