Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 11) seized about 1.7 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $4.7 million and a duty potential of about $3.2 million at Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Shenzhen Bay Control Point yesterday morning. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes inside 170 cartons mix-loaded with other goods on the truck.

     The 53-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum 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 2545 6182, or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Friday, July 12, 2019
Issued at HKT 12:22

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