Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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Customs officers intercepted a 38-year-old incoming male passenger on November 8 and a 45-year-old incoming female passenger on November 9 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. Customs officers seized 6 012 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $24,600 and a duty potential of about $19,800, from the male passenger's personal baggage. In addition, 2 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $12,200 and a duty potential of about $9,800, were seized from the female passenger's personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
The male passenger was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined $4,000, while female passenger was sentenced to four weeks and six days' imprisonment, by the court today for contravening the DCO.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence imposes 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 imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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/Monday, November 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:32
Issued at HKT 22:32
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