Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)

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     An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 31) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

     Customs officers first intercepted the incoming 82-year-old local female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 5 and seized 1 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested, charged and released on bail pending trial. The woman later re-entered Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point on July 24. Customs officers further seized 1 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested again and charged. A total of 3 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated total market value of about $13,000 and a total duty potential of about $10,500 were seized in the two interceptions.

     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

     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/Friday, July 31, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:33

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An incoming female passenger was sentenced to a total of 10 weeks' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (July 31) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photos shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized in the first interception.