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Customs officers will continue to take vigorous enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes activities at different levels.

The assurance is given by the Head of the Customs Revenue and General Investigation Bureau, Mr Ip Che-wo, today (December 19) following the conclusion of a five-day territory-wide operation starting from December 15.

During the operation, the officers detected 95 cases in connection with the illegal importation, storage and retailing of illicit cigarettes.

Overall, the officers seized over three million sticks of illicit cigarettes. The total value of seizure amounted to $4.64 million and the duty potential was about $2.43 million. Sixty-one persons, aged between 15 and 55, were arrested.

On December 15, Customs officers seized 1.77 million sticks of smuggled illicit cigarettes from an incoming lorry at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and arrested a 42 year-old male driver.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, it is an offence to "attempt to import unmanifested cargoes". Any person convicted is liable to a fine of $2 million and an imprisonment for seven years.

The officers smashed an illicit cigarettes storage centre in Reclamation Street in Yau Ma Tei on December 16, leading to the seizure of over 40,000 sticks of illicit cigarettes and the arrest of three persons, aged between 21 and 24.

In another case, the officers neutralised an illicit cigarettes storage centre in Tung Chau Street, Sham Shui Po this (December 19) afternoon. They seized about one million sticks of illicit cigarettes and arrested a 24-year-old man.

In another development this afternoon, Customs officers from the Diesel Oil Enforcement Division neutralised an illicit oil storage centre in Tin Shui Wai, resulting in the seizure of 8 000 litres of illicit oil and a lorry, valued at $120,000. Three men, aged between 24 and 40, were arrested.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person dealing with, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.

Mr Ip appealed to members of the public to call the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 to report suspected illicit oil and illicit cigarettes activities.

Ends/Friday, December 19, 2003

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