Elderly Man Convicted and Jailed for Possessing Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes at Hong Kong Border

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

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 22) 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 the incoming 84-year-old local male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on September 22 and seized 801 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $3,600, and the duty potential was about $2,600. 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).

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 22) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the male passenger concealing the duty-not-paid cigarettes in the inner pockets of a vest worn by him and around his waist. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 22) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the male passenger with the duty-not-paid cigarettes covered by his shirt. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 21) detected a suspected case of an illegal importing of an animal at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A suspected illegally imported live dog with an estimated market value of about $15,000 was seized.

Customs officers yesterday intercepted a 55-year-old incoming Mainland female passenger at the Arrival Hall of the said Control Point. Upon examination, a live dog was seized from her personal belongings, and she was subsequently arrested. The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.

Customs reminds the public that importing animals into Hong Kong without a valid permit is an offence.

Under the Rabies Regulation, any person found guilty of illegally importing animals, carcasses or animal products is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for one year.

Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of illegal importing of animal Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases