An incoming passenger was sentenced to a total of six months' imprisonment with a fine of $6,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 13) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
      
     Customs officers intercepted the incoming 52-year-old female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on March 9 and seized 981 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her, with an estimated market value of about $4,000 and a duty potential of about $3,200. She was subsequently arrested and granted bail pending her court appearance.
      
     Customs officers yesterday (April 12) seized a total of 5 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $22,000 and a duty potential of about $17,700, from the same female passenger and her personal baggage at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. She was arrested again.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects 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/Monday, April 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:30

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