Customs officers yesterday arrested a 48-year-old lorry driver after they seized about 3.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes from his incoming vehicle at Lok Ma Chau Control Point.
The cigarettes have a market value of about $8.5 million with a duty potential of $6 million.
The lorry was declared to have 334 cartons of paper bags. The cigarettes were mixed with other goods and concealed in the rear of the compartment.
A smuggling conviction carries a maximum penalty of a $2 million fine and seven years in prison.
People are urged to call Customs’ hotline, 2545 6182, to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities.
