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Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $620,000 at Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port (with photos)
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     ​Hong Kong Customs seized about 130 000 suspected illicit cigarettes on August 20, with an estimated market value of about $620,000 and a duty potential of about $450,000, at the Inbound Cargo Examination Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port.
      
     Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day inspected an inbound container truck declared as carrying cross-border e-commerce goods. After the inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside 26 light boxes on the truck and immediately arrested a 56-year-old male driver.
      
     The investigation is ongoing.
      
     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
      
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
      
     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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/Friday, August 29, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:30
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Hong Kong Customs seized about 130 000 suspected illicit cigarettes on August 20, with an estimated market value of about $620,000 and a duty potential of about $450,000, at the Inbound Cargo Examination Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized.
Hong Kong Customs seized about 130 000 suspected illicit cigarettes on August 20, with an estimated market value of about $620,000 and a duty potential of about $450,000, at the Inbound Cargo Examination Building of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port. Photo shows suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside a light box.