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Customs officers of Marine Enforcement Division yesterday (August 22) seized 380,000 sticks of smuggled cigarettes from a departing Mainland fishing vessel.
The seized cigarettes were worth $570,000, with a duty potential of $305,000.
At 11.15pm yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a Mainland fishing vessel in the waters off Chai Wan and seized the smuggled cigarettes from a concealed compartment.
Four Mainland men - the vessel master and three crewmen - aged between 27 and 49, were arrested.
The arrested men are under detention and will be charged with offences under Import and Export Ordinance and Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
The investigation continues.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (August 23) said the department would continue to take vigorous enforcement against cross-boundary cigarettes smuggling activities.
Under Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious crime. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and seven years' imprisonment.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.
Ends/Thursday, August 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 16:47
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