Customs busts Kwai Chung illicit cigarette warehouse
On.cc · 6 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it searched a suspicious unit in an industrial building in Kwai Chung on September 8 and uncovered a suspected illicit cigarette storage warehouse, seizing about 2.41 million suspected illicit cigarettes. The department said the haul had an estimated market value of about HK$10.85 million and a duty potential of about HK$7.98 million. Three men aged between 32 and 36 were arrested at the scene after officers found the cigarettes inside the unit. Customs said the men have been released on bail pending further investigation and that more arrests have not been ruled out as officers trace the source of the cigarettes.
Key Points
- Customs officers searched a suspicious unit in an industrial building in Kwai Chung on September 8 and said it was being used as a suspected illicit cigarette storage warehouse.
- Officers seized about 2.41 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of HK$10.85 million and duty potential of about HK$7.98 million.
- The three arrested men were aged 32 to 36 and reported occupations as a mover, a driver and a courier.
- All three were arrested on the spot inside the unit and were later released on bail pending further investigation by Customs.
- Customs said it is tracing the source of the cigarettes, has not ruled out further arrests, and warned that buying or selling illicit cigarettes is illegal.
Why It Matters
The case remains active because Customs said it is still tracing the source of the cigarettes and may make further arrests, suggesting investigators are looking beyond the storage site itself. Customs also reiterated that handling, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is an offence under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, punishable on conviction by a maximum fine of HK$2 million and seven years' imprisonment.