Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea and detected two cases on January 31 and February 4, during which a total of about 15.22 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $68 million and a duty potential of about $50 million were seized. Eight men were arrested.

     In the first case, Customs on January 31 intercepted a suspicious ocean-going cargo vessel in the northwestern waters off Lamma Island. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 7.62 million suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside the false compartments built within four empty containers onboard the vessel. Eight non-local men, aged between 21 and 59, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested, comprising a captain and seven crew members. The arrested captain was charged with importing unmanifested cargoes.

     In the second case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on February 4 selected for inspection a 40-foot container, declared as carrying socks and arriving from Taiwan, China, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 7.6 million suspected illicit cigarettes inside the container.

     Investigations of the cases are ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs believes that, with the imminent arrival of the Lunar New Year, cigarette smuggling syndicates attempted to stockpile large quantities of illicit cigarettes to supply both local and overseas markets. The operation results demonstrate the effectiveness of Customs' enforcement strategy in combating cigarette smuggling at source. 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 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. In addition, 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 $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, February 11, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:15

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