Hong Kong Customs Seizes 10 Million Illicit Cigarettes Worth $45 Million Off Po Toi Island

Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case involving cigarettes and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $45 million

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 27) detected a large-scale illicit cigarette smuggling case in the waters off Po Toi Island and seized about 10 million suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $45 million and a duty potential of about $33 million, on board a fishing vessel.

Customs in the early morning of yesterday intercepted a suspicious fishing vessel in the waters off Po Toi Island. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized the batch of suspectedillicit cigarettes inside the compartments of the vessel. Five non-local men, aged between 29 and 43, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

Customs will continue to trace the source and the flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

The five arrested men will be charged with one count of importing unmanifested cargoes. They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts on September 30.

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.

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.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case involving cigarettes and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $45 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects large-scale sea smuggling case involving cigarettes and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes worth about $45 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Health Bureau responds to media enquiries on Police action

In response to media enquiries on the arrest of two staff of Yan Chai Hospital by the Police, a spokesman for the Health Bureau (HHB) gave the following response today (September 28):

The spokesman said, "As the case is under legal proceedings, it is inappropriate for us to comment. We are deeply saddened by the circumstances of the girl in this case. The clinical team of the Hospital Authority (HA) will continue to provide optimal treatment to the girl and maintain close liaison with her family to provide timely support.

"The HHB has been highly concerned about the incident. Patient safety is the prime concern of hospital operations. We understand that the HA will fully assist in the Police's investigation."