Two incoming passengers were sentenced to three months' and two months' imprisonment respectively by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 23) 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 a 46-year-old incoming female passenger and her accompanying child at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (April 22). Officers discovered that the female passenger had concealed 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $5,660 and a duty potential of about $4,560, in the backpack carried by her accompanying child. The female passenger was subsequently arrested, and she was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by the Courts today.

     In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming 50-year-old male passenger at the same control point on the same day and seized 5 441 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $22,300, and the duty potential was about $17,900. The male passenger was subsequently arrested, and he was sentenced to two months' imprisonment 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/Thursday, April 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:25

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