Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes (with photo)

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     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) raided a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse in Yuen Long and seized about 960 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.6 million and a duty potential of about $1.8 million.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Yuen Long yesterday, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from a stone hut and a light goods vehicle (LGV). Three men suspected to be in connection with the case, aged between 23 and 58, were arrested and the LGV has been detained.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Wednesday, September 2, 2020
Issued at HKT 17:22

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Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) raided a suspected illicit cigarette storehouse in Yuen Long and seized about 960 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $2.6 million and a duty potential of about $1.8 million. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized.