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Man convicted and jailed for smuggling duty-not-paid cigarettes using cross-boundary private car (with photos)
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     A 32-year-old man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (March 26) for smuggling duty-not-paid cigarettes using a cross-boundary private car, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
      
     Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Hong Kong Customs intercepted an inbound private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday (March 25). Upon inspection, Customs officers seized a total of 13 011 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from the doors and driving compartment. The male driver was subsequently arrested. The estimated market value of the cigarettes seized in the case was about $58,500, and the duty potential was about $43,000.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the IEO, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Customs will continue to combat smuggling activities by cross-boundary private cars with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
      
     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/Thursday, March 26, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:05
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A 32-year-old man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (March 26) for smuggling duty-not-paid cigarettes using a cross-boundary private car, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes concealed in the private car door.
A 32-year-old man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (March 26) for smuggling duty-not-paid cigarettes using a cross-boundary private car, in contravention of the Import and Export Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized.