Hong Kong Customs detects suspected case of alternative smoking product smuggling by ocean-going vessel (with photos)
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Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on the aforementioned dates selected for inspection three 40-foot containers, declared as carrying hand cream and lip gross from Korea, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 170 000 suspected ASPs inside the containers, and arrested two 59-year-old men suspected to be connected with the case.
An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities at the forefront. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to fiercely combat smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to disrupt relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Any person who imports alternative smoking products into Hong Kong also 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 smuggling 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/Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:55
Issued at HKT 15:55
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