Hong Kong Customs, the Marine Police and law enforcement agencies of the Chinese Mainland mounted a joint anti-smuggling operation yesterday (March 27) and detected a suspected smuggling case involving a river trade vessel in the southeast waters of Hong Kong. About 20 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $92 million and a duty potential of about $68 million, were seized.

     Based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs cooperated with the Marine Police and law enforcement agencies of the Chinese Mainland, namely, the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, the Department of Public Security of China and the China Coast Guard, to conduct an anti-smuggling operation in the aforementioned waters during the early hours yesterday. During the operation, a suspicious river trade vessel in the waters off Waglan Island was spotted. Customs officers immediately intercepted the river trade vessel. Upon examination, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from two 45-foot containers on board the vessel.

     During the operation, four men aged between 36 and 60, suspected to be connected to the case, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis, and step up enforcement actions to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarettes activities. 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.

     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/Saturday, March 28, 2026
Issued at HKT 14:30

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