Two incoming air passengers convicted and jailed for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)
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Hong Kong Customs has been mounting a special enforcement operation to combat illicit cigarette smuggling activities involving air passengers. Two Mainland male passengers aged 30 and 33, arriving in Hong Kong from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 9). A total of about 130 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $590,000 and a duty potential of about $433,000, were seized from their personal baggage.
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 and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Friday, July 10, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:00
Issued at HKT 17:00
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