68-year-old woman jailed over undeclared illicit cigarettes
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
A 68-year-old incoming mainland woman has been jailed for 10 weeks and fined HK$2,000 after Customs officers found 1,181 duty-not-paid cigarettes in her personal luggage at Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The case was heard at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on August 8, one day after her interception upon arrival in Hong Kong.
Key Points
- Customs officers stopped the 68-year-old woman on August 7 as she entered Hong Kong through Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.
- Officers found 1,181 duty-not-paid cigarettes inside her personal luggage, with an estimated market value of HK$5,900.
- The cigarettes carried an estimated duty value of about HK$3,900, according to figures released after the seizure.
- She was arrested immediately and convicted of possessing undeclared duty-not-paid cigarettes under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
- At Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on August 8, she was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison and fined HK$2,000.
Why It Matters
The case highlights Hong Kong Customs’ continued enforcement at boundary control points against illicit cigarette smuggling and non-declaration offences. Customs said imprisonment carries considerable deterrent effect, while the law provides for penalties of up to HK$2 million and seven years’ jail upon conviction.