August 11, 2013

Customs officers have arrested seven men and seized about 5 million illicit cigarettes with a total market value of about $12 million in a one-week crackdown on a targeted syndicate's cross-boundary smuggling activities.
 
The cigarettes had a duty potential of about $8 million. Officers also detained three vehicles used to transport the goods, and seized counterfeit mobile phones and tablet computers.
 
On August 7, officers found a cross-boundary container truck that was unloading goods at a Sha Tin factory building. They seized about 2.4 million cigarettes and arrested five of the men.
 
Officers stopped two cross-boundary trucks declared to contain assorted goods at Man Kam To Control Point on August 9 and seized about 2.6 million cigarettes. They found a large batch of suspected counterfeit mobile phones and tablet computers on one of the trucks, and arrested both truck drivers.
 
Revenue & General Investigation Bureau Deputy Head Lai Sau-ieng told a press conference today: "The operation showed the effectiveness of our enforcement strategy, especially the stepped-up enforcement actions at source. Customs will continue to undertake stringent enforcement against illicit cigarettes activities for protection of government revenue."
 
The maximum penalty for smuggling is a $2 million fine and seven years in prison, while the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of being involved in dealing with, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is a $1 million fine and two years in prison.
 
People are urged to call the Customs' 24-hour hotline - 2545 6182 - to report suspected illicit cigarette activities.