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Hong Kong Customs detects two large-scale sea smuggling cases and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $37 million (with photos)
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     Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized.

     In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying an enclosed lifeboat and a rescue boat, and arriving from Singapore for inspection on August 2 at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 5.34 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 51-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested. Customs officers subsequently conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested a 68-year-old local man connected with the case.

     In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a 40-foot container, declared as carrying toothpaste, skincare products and other goods, and arriving from Incheon, Korea, for inspection on August 3 at the same container terminal. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 2.78 million suspected illicit cigarettes from the container. A 42-year-old local man connected with the case was arrested.

     The operations displayed Customs' enforcement effectiveness in intercepting cross-border illicit cigarettes at the source through co-operation with law enforcement agencies in the region. The department will continue to foster collaboration and strengthen intelligence exchanges between regional partners in law enforcement, and vigorously combat cross-border illicit cigarette activities.

     Customs stresses that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Moreover, 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 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/Thursday, August 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:20
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Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in the operations.
Hong Kong Customs recently mounted enforcement operations to combat large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling activities by sea. From August 2 to 3, Customs detected two cases through intelligence exchanges, risk assessments and intelligence analyses. A total of about 8.12 million suspected illicit cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $37 million and a duty potential of about $27 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected illicit cigarettes seized in the operations.