Man Sentenced to Four-Week Imprisonment for Possessing 516 Duty-Not-Paid Cigarettes

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

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 29) 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 26-year-old Mainland male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (October 28) and seized 516 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal belonging, with an estimated market value of about $2,600, and a duty potential of about $1,700. The male passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. 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 four weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (October 29) 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 recycle bag used to conceal the duty-not-paid cigarettes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming air passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 31) and seized about 6 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3.6 million.

A 22-year-old Filipino female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine inside her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 2).

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 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 drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases