In view of the arrival of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Thunder" from January 11 to February 12 to combat illicit cigarette telephone-ordering activities at the storage, distribution and peddling levels. Over 15.1 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $68 million and a duty potential of about $50 million were seized. Fifty-nine persons were arrested.

     During the operation, Customs officers detected 58 relevant cases in various districts and seized the above-mentioned suspected illicit cigarettes. In those cases, Customs officers raided 10 suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Kwun Tong, To Kwa Wan, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai, San Tin and North Point, and two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in public rental housing (PRH) units in Sau Mau Ping and Ngau Tau Kok, and detained five vehicles suspected to be used for illicit cigarette distribution. Forty-eight men and 11 women, aged between 21 and 86, including both illicit cigarette sellers and buyers, were arrested. All the cases have been duly followed up.

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities during festive periods through risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling.

     If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department after the conclusion of court proceedings under the existing mechanism for follow-up action in accordance with the tenancy agreement or the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement, and the PRH tenancy may be terminated.

     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who 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/Friday, February 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:57

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