Hong Kong Customs detects suspected illicit cigarette distribution case in Wong Tai Sin (with photo)
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Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Wong Tai Sin yesterday afternoon and intercepted a suspicious man carrying a recyclable bag in Fu Mei Street. Upon inspection, 1 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were found, and the 55-year-old man, who claimed to be a cook, was subsequently arrested. Later, Customs officers further seized about 51 000 suspected illicit cigarettes from his private vehicle parked on the nearby roadside. The vehicle was also detained.
Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
The arrested man was charged with "dealing with goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies" and will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on October 8.
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.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. 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, September 5, 2025
Issued at HKT 12:20
Issued at HKT 12:20
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