Hong Kong Customs mounted a three-day enforcement operation codenamed "Tempest" between August 19 and 21 and detected illicit cigarette smuggling cases involving air passengers. A total of about 1.4 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $6.2 million and a duty potential of about $4.5 million were seized. Fourteen persons connected with the cases were arrested.

     To combat the smuggling of illicit cigarettes by crime syndicates using inbound passengers, Customs strengthened enforcement and mounted a special operation at the airport.

     During the operation, Customs arrested 14 passengers, aged between 23 and 56, and arriving in Hong Kong from the Southeast Asian region. An investigation revealed that the check-in baggage carried by the arrestees was fully packed with duty-not-paid cigarettes and contained no other personal belongings.

     All the arrestees have been charged with dealing with, possessing, importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, or failing to declare to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109). Nine of them were convicted at the Magistrates' Courts and sentenced to immediate imprisonment ranging from eight months to 20 months. One of the arrestees was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for smuggling over 180 000 illicit cigarettes into Hong Kong. Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

     Customs believes that the operation displayed its enforcement effectiveness in intercepting illicit cigarette at the source. The operation is ongoing. Customs will keep strengthening passenger clearance based on risk assessment to combat cross-boundary illicit cigarette activities. Passengers are reminded not to engage in illicit cigarette smuggling to avoid the risks of getting caught. Customs will also closely monitor illicit cigarette syndicates and continue the multipronged enforcement strategy to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities.

     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.
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     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/Monday, August 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:30

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