Go to main content
 
Hong Kong Customs raids two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
     Hong Kong Customs raided two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling and seized more than 8.8 million suspected illicit cigarettes yesterday (April 9). The total estimated market value of the suspected illicit cigarettes was about $39.7 million, while the duty potential was about $29.1 million. One man suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested.
      
     Customs officers ambushed and searched two logistics warehouses at Ping Che Road in Fanling and a medium goods vehicle parked inside one of the warehouses at noon yesterday. Customs seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes from the two warehouses and the vehicle. A 43-year-old man, who claimed to be a warehouse worker and was suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested at the scene.
      
     Initial investigation revealed that a crime syndicate had repacked illicit cigarettes as genuine cargo pending transshipment in the warehouses, awaiting an opportunity to smuggle them into foreign countries or regions with higher tobacco duty rates than Hong Kong for profit.
      
     The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
      
     Customs will continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source, as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
      
     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), 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.
      
     Smuggling is also a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum 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, April 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 12:30
NNNN
Archives   Yesterday's Press Releases  
Back to Index Page
Back to top
Today's Press Releases  

Photo

Hong Kong Customs raided two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling and seized more than 8.8 million suspected illicit cigarettes yesterday (April 9). The total estimated market value of the suspected illicit cigarettes was about $39.7 million, while the duty potential was about $29.1 million. One man suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized inside one of the warehouses and a medium goods vehicle.
Hong Kong Customs raided two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Fanling and seized more than 8.8 million suspected illicit cigarettes yesterday (April 9). The total estimated market value of the suspected illicit cigarettes was about $39.7 million while the duty potential was about $29.1 million. One man suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized inside one of the warehouses.