Police, Customs Seize 2.86 Million Illicit Cigarettes
AM730 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong marine police and Customs carried out a pre-dawn anti-smuggling operation in waters off western Hong Kong Island on September 15, uncovering a sea-borne cigarette smuggling case. Officers intercepted one of two speedboats seen off Sha Wan Drive in Pok Fu Lam, arrested two local men, and seized about 2.86 million suspected duty-unpaid cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$12.9 million and a duty potential of about HK$9.5 million.
Key Points
- After investigation and intelligence analysis, the Regional Task Force of the Marine Police, the Southern Division Task Force and Customs' Maritime Enforcement Bureau launched the operation in western Hong Kong Island waters early on September 15.
- Officers spotted two speedboats with navigation lights switched off at the shoreline of Sha Wan Drive, where several men were moving cargo from the boats onto a truck.
- When officers moved in, the suspects boarded the two speedboats and fled separately at high speed toward waters west of Hong Kong Island and toward southern waters.
- Marine Police Small Boat Division officers and Customs personnel intercepted one suspect speedboat off China Merchants Wharf near Mount Davis, arresting two local men and finding the suspected cigarettes on board.
- The second speedboat escaped through southern waters, while officers also detained the intercepted speedboat and a truck believed to be linked to the case for further investigation by Customs.
Why It Matters
The case points to continued use of Hong Kong's waterfront for fast-moving smuggling operations involving duty-unpaid tobacco, with suspects using unlit speedboats and shore-side transfer points. It also comes after the 2025 tobacco law amendments raised the maximum penalty for offences involving illicit tobacco to a HK$2 million fine and seven years' imprisonment, increasing the legal risks for handling, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes.