Joint sea operation seizes HK$8.4 million illicit cigarettes
SingTao · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Police and Customs carried out a joint anti-smuggling operation in waters off southwestern Hong Kong Island in the early hours of September 28, after suspecting recent smuggling activity in the area. Near Tin Wan Praya Road, officers intercepted a suspected transfer from two speedboats to a truck, seizing about 1.86 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$8.4 million and a duty potential of about HK$6.15 million.
Key Points
- After investigation and intelligence analysis, the Regional Special Duties Unit of the Marine Police, the Marine South Division and Customs' Maritime Enforcement officers launched the operation before dawn on September 28
- Officers spotted two speedboats without navigation lights near the shoreline off Tin Wan Praya Road, where several men were moving cargo from the boats onto a truck.
- When officers moved in, the men immediately boarded the speedboats and fled; both vessels later escaped from southern Hong Kong waters toward the mainland direction.
- At the scene, officers seized about 1.86 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated total market value of about HK$8.4 million and a taxable value of about HK$6.15 million.
- A truck suspected to be linked to the case was also detained, and Customs is continuing the investigation into the smuggling case.
Why It Matters
The case points to continued use of Hong Kong's southern waters and shoreline transfer points for suspected smuggling runs, with speedboats and land vehicles used in quick handovers. For Hong Kong readers, the next development will be whether investigators can identify the men who escaped and trace the wider supply chain behind the seized cigarettes.