Customs Seize 8.12 Million Smuggled Cigarettes
On.cc · 3 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs intercepted two incoming sea freight containers at Kwai Chung Container Terminals and uncovered about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes worth around HK$37 million in total, in one of the latest large-scale maritime smuggling crackdowns . The two containers arrived from Singapore and Incheon and were declared as lifeboats, rescue boats, toothpaste, skincare products and other cargo, but officers found concealed cigarette loads inside . Three local men were arrested during the operation, including two men linked to the first container and one driver linked to the second .
Key Points
- On August 2, officers stopped a 40-foot container from Singapore declared as enclosed lifeboats and rescue boats, then found about 5.34 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside wooden crates .
- A 51-year-old local man who said he was a truck driver was arrested first, and a 68-year-old local man was later arrested in a monitored delivery operation .
- Customs said the first container was taken to an open-air car park in Kwai Chung, where smugglers were suspected of planning unloading, repackaging or onward transfer .
- On August 3, officers checked another 40-foot container from Incheon declared as toothpaste, skincare products and other goods, and seized about 2.78 million suspected illicit cigarettes .
- A 42-year-old local man who said he was a truck driver was arrested in the second case; all three arrested men reportedly described themselves as transport company operators or drivers .
Why It Matters
Customs said the operation showed continued intelligence sharing, risk assessment and cooperation with regional enforcement partners to target cross-border cigarette smuggling at source . The department also stressed that smuggling and handling illicit cigarettes are serious offences under Hong Kong law, each carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years' imprisonment .