Public housing tenant jailed over illicit cigarettes stash
HK01 · 5 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A public housing tenant was sentenced to three months in jail at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on October 7 after being convicted of handling duty-not-paid cigarettes in Chai Wan. The 56-year-old local man was arrested after Hong Kong Customs found 16,900 illicit cigarettes in his personal belongings and in the public rental flat he rented at Fung Wah Estate.
Key Points
- Customs officers intercepted the 56-year-old man during an anti-illicit cigarette operation at Fung Wah Estate, Chai Wan, on September 10.
- Officers seized a total of 16,900 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal belongings and the public housing unit he rented.
- The cigarettes had an estimated market value of about HK$76,000 and a duty value of about HK$56,000.
- The man was convicted under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and sentenced at Eastern Magistrates’ Courts on October 7.
- Customs said it welcomed the ruling and may notify the Housing Department after court proceedings for follow-up under tenancy terms or the Marking Scheme.
Why It Matters
For public housing tenants, the case carries consequences beyond the criminal sentence, because Customs said flats linked to illicit cigarette offences may be referred to the Housing Department for action including penalty points or termination of tenancy. Customs also reiterated that handling, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is illegal and carries a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years’ imprisonment.