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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars (with photos)
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     ​​An incoming female passenger was sentenced to seven weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for being involved in two cases of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming female passenger, aged 51, at the Lo Wu Control Point on May 27. A total of 5 601 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $22,000 and a duty potential of about $18,000. She was subsequently arrested.
      
     On July 27, Customs officers intercepted the same incoming female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A total of 7 420 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes and 75 grams of duty-not-paid cigars , with an estimated market value of about $30,850 and a duty potential of about $24,800, were seized from her personal baggage. The woman was again arrested.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
 
Ends/Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:26
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An incoming female passenger was sentenced to seven weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for being involved in two cases of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized at the Lo Wu Control Point.
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to seven weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000 at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for being involved in two cases of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes and cigars seized at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point.