********************************************************
Customs officers of the Anti-Illicit Cigarette Investigation Division this morning (December 1) neutralised an illicit cigarette storage centre at a unit of a factory building in Tuen Mun, resulting in the seizure of 0.8 million sticks of illicit cigarettes, worth about $1.2 million and with a duty potential of $0.64 million.
They lived in the unit, which had been furnished as a bedroom with a kitchen.
At 10am, Customs officers intercepted two men, who were moving cigarettes into the unit. The officers seized from the unit 0.8 million sticks of illicit cigarettes.
Investigations showed that the 42-year-old man had overstayed in Hong Kong since January 2004.
The case is under investigation.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty for selling, buying or dealing with dutiable cigarettes is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.
Hong Kong Customs urged members of the public to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities by calling the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.
Ends/Thursday, December 1, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:27
NNNN
