Eight incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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Customs officers intercepted eight incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport on April 17 and seized duty-not-paid cigarettes from their personal baggage during customs clearance.
The first case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 44, Customs officers seized about 50 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $254,000 and a duty potential of about $168,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The second case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 25, Customs officers seized about 66 700 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $273,400 and a duty potential of about $220,400, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The third case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 27, Customs officer seized about 66 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $272,200 and a duty potential of about $219,500, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The fourth case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 32, Customs officer seized about 66 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $273,100 and a duty potential of about $220,200, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The fifth case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 51, Customs officer seized about 66 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $270,700 and a duty potential of about $218,300, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The sixth case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 56, Customs officer seized about 50 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $208,400 and a duty potential of about $168,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The seventh case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 27, Customs officer seized about 90 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $372,300 and a duty potential of about $300,200, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
The eighth case involved an incoming male passenger, aged 31, Customs officer at Hong m seized about 25 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $115,200 and a duty potential of about $84,600, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Courts today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect 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/en).
Ends/Saturday, April 18, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:22
Issued at HKT 22:22
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