Hong Kong Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage site in Kwun Tong yesterday (October 12). A total of about 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized. The estimated market value was about $1.94 million, while the duty potential was about $1.42 million. A local woman involved in the case was arrested.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Kwun Tong yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious woman on Yee On Street, and found 1 200 suspected illicit cigarettes from her backpack upon search. Customs officers immediately arrested the 63-year-old local woman, who claimed to be a cleaner, and escorted her to her residential address in a tenement building nearby for search. About 430 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were further seized. 
                
     The case is still under investigation. The arrested woman has been charged and the case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court tomorrow (October 14). 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, October 13, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:35

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