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Hong Kong Customs concluded a two-week territory-wide operation to combat illicit cigarette activities before Chinese New Year yesterday (February 4). According to its past enforcement experience, Customs believes that people engaged in illicit cigarette activities will try to replenish stocks before Chinese New Year, and mounted the special operation with a view to combating these activities.
In the operation, Customs detected a total of 38 suspected illicit cigarette cases including two smuggling, 10 storage and distribution, seven peddling and 19 telephone-order cases. A total of about two million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes were seized with a total market value of about $5.3 million and duty potential of about $3.8 million. A total of 32 men and seven women, aged between 23 and 81, were arrested. After a series of enforcement actions, Customs believes that the operation has successfully disrupted the supply chains for illicit cigarettes in the territory.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, or possession of, or selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs' hotline at 2545 6182.
Ends/Friday, February 5, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:00
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