Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,200 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (November 6) 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 68-year-old local male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on October 31 and seized 481 duty-not-paid cigarettes from him, with an estimated market value of about $2,400, and a duty potential of about $1,600. The male 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
