4 held as Hong Kong seizes HK$92 million of illicit cigarettes from cargo vessel

About 20 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized during the anti-smuggling operation.

Photo: ISD Hong Kong customs has seized about 20 million illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of HK$92 million (US$11.46 million) from a cargo vessel during a joint anti-smuggling operation with authorities in mainland China.

The cigarettes would have generated about HK$68 million in tax revenue, authorities said on Saturday.

Officers from the Customs and Excise Department, marine police and mainland law enforcement agencies conducted the operation in the early hours of Friday based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

During the operation, they intercepted a river trade vessel in the waters off Waglan Island, 5.4 nautical miles southeast of Stanley.

Officers seized the cigarettes from two 45-foot containers on board.

The haul was estimated to be worth HK$92 million, with a duty potential of about HK$68 million. “Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarettes activities,” the department said in a statement.

Four men aged between 36 and 60 and suspected of being connected to the case, were arrested in the operation, and investigations are ongoing.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, dealing in, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is an offence.

It is also illegal to import or export unmanifested cargo under the Import and Export Ordinance.

The maximum penalty upon conviction for both laws is a fine of HK$2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

原文链接: 南华早报