Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre in San Tin yesterday (June 22). A total of about 1.48 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The total estimated market value was about $6.7 million, while the duty potential was about $4.9 million.

     Customs officers raided a large metal hut in Ki Lun Tsuen in San Tin yesterday afternoon and seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes. Customs believes that, to evade attention, criminals used the metal hut located in a remote and sparsely populated area as a concealed base for storing and supplying illicit cigarettes to Yuen Long.

     The case is under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of 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.

     Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:15

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