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Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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     Two incoming passengers were respectively sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $4,000 and four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 20) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted a 36-year-old incoming female passenger and an accompanying 38-year-old incoming male passenger on February 4 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The officers found a total of 2 962 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes on them. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $12,000, and the duty potential was about $9,800. They were subsequently arrested.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes 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/Friday, March 20, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:40
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Two incoming passengers were respectively sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $4,000 and four weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 20) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows a 36-year-old incoming female passenger with duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed in a pair of leggings.
Two incoming passengers were respectively sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $4,000 and four weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 20) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows a 38-year-old incoming male passenger with duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed in a waistband.