Customs Seizes HK$1.88 Million Suspected Illicit Cigarettes
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it seized about 360,000 suspected illicit cigarettes from an inbound goods vehicle declared as carrying vegetables at Man Kam To Control Point on September 30. The haul was estimated to have a market value of about HK$1.88 million and a duty potential of about HK$1.18 million, while a 62-year-old local male driver was arrested and later released on bail pending further investigation.
Key Points
- Customs officers intercepted an inbound truck at Man Kam To Control Point after it was declared as carrying vegetables on September 30.
- Officers found the suspected illicit cigarettes mixed with vegetables inside 63 foam boxes on the vehicle.
- The seizure involved about 360,000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of HK$1.88 million.
- Customs also estimated the duty value of the suspected illicit cigarettes at about HK$1.18 million.
- A 62-year-old local male driver was arrested, and the truck involved in the case was detained for investigation.
Why It Matters
The case remains under investigation, indicating Customs may continue tracing the source and intended distribution of the suspected illicit cigarettes. Under Hong Kong law, offences involving unmanifested cargo and the handling of illicit cigarettes can carry penalties of up to HK$2 million in fines and seven years' imprisonment.