Customs officers have closed a Yuen Long illicit cigarette storage and distribution centre, seizing about 3 million cigarettes worth $4.5 million with a duty potential of about $2.4 million.

Today's raid in Tai Shu Ha Road West was part of a four-day Hong Kong-wide operation.

Officers arrested a 25-year-old driver and two other men, aged 18 and 28, when illicit cigarettes were transferred from a hut and loaded onto a goods vehicle.

Investigations revealed the cigarettes may have been for distribution in Kowloon West and the western New Territories.

The four days have seen 21 men and 23 women, aged 18 to 67, arrested. A total of 3.17 million cigarettes were seized, worth about $4.76 million with a duty potential of about $2.55 million.