Hong Kong Customs shut down a suspected illicit cigarette and manufactured tobacco storage centre on Lin Ma Hang Road in the North District, New Territories, yesterday (July 13). A total of about 273 800 suspected illicit cigarettes and about 324 kilograms of suspected manufactured tobacco were seized. The total estimated market value was about $3.3 million while the duty potential was about $2.2 million. Two Mainland men connected with the case were arrested.

     Customs officers searched a suspicious metal hut on Lin Ma Hang Road in the evening yesterday and found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes and manufactured tobacco. Two Mainland men aged 48 and 39, who respectively claimed to be unemployed and a designer, were arrested at the scene.

     The case is still under investigation. Customs will continue to trace the source of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further 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, July 14, 2026
Issued at HKT 15:20

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