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Four incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possessing/importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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     Four incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of $4,000, two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000, and two months' imprisonment with a fine of $5,000 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 30) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted an incoming 37-year-old female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on March 28 and seized 11 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $49,000 and a duty potential of about $40,000, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $4,000 by the Courts today.

     Customs officers on the same day intercepted a 27-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point and seized 12 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $53,000 and a duty potential of about $43,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $4,000 by the Courts today.
      
     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old incoming male passenger and an accompanying 53-year-old incoming female passenger yesterday (March 29) at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The officers found a total of 2 362 duty-not-paid cigarettes in their personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $9,700, and the duty potential was about $7,800. They were subsequently arrested. They were sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 and two months' imprisonment with a fine of $5,000 respectively by the Courts today.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
      
     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/Monday, March 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:56
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Four incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of $4,000, two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 and two months’ imprisonment with a fine of $5,000 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 30) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 37-year-old incoming female passenger.
Four incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of $4,000, two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 and two months’ imprisonment with a fine of $5,000 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 30) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 27-year-old incoming male passenger.
Four incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' imprisonment and a fine of $4,000, two months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 and two months’ imprisonment with a fine of $5,000 respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 30) for possessing or importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized from the personal baggage of a 48-year-old incoming male passenger and an accompanying 53-year-old incoming female passenger.