Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 13) raided two suspected illicit tobacco product centres in Lau Fau Shan and seized about 4 800 kilograms of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco with an estimated market value of about $32.3 million and a duty potential of about $20 million. One person was arrested.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Lau Fau Shan last night, Customs officers intercepted a man who was moving suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco to a goods vehicle at a logistics warehouse on Deep Bay Road. Upon inspection, about 1 400kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco were seized from the warehouse and the goods vehicle. A 51-year-old man who claimed to be a driver was arrested.

     Customs officers later proceeded to a metal hut in Lau Fau Shan for a follow-up investigation, and further seized about 3 400kg of suspected duty-not-paid manufactured tobacco therein.

     The case is still under investigation. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the tobacco. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (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/Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:31

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