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Customs officers today (Thursday) seized over 150,000 sticks of dutiable cigarettes, which carried a market value of about $210,000 and a duty potential of $116,000, in a territory-wide operation against sale of illicit cigarettes.

During the operation codenamed "Operation Torpedo", lasting for 10 hours from 6 am, officers from the Customs Marine and Land Enforcement Command raided the black spots selling dutiable cigarettes throughout Hong Kong. As a result, they made the seizure and arrested 11 men and five women, aged between 22 and 68.

The arrested will be charged with offences in relation with "dealing with goods to which dutiable commodities apply", and "sale of dutiable goods".

According to the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department warned the public not to buy illicit cigarettes as both the buyer and seller will face the same charge if they are arrested for the offence.

The spokesman said the Department would continue taking stringent enforcement actions against illicit cigarette activities.

The spokesman also appealed to members of the public to provide more information on illicit cigarette activities through the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182.

End/Thursday, April 22, 1999

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