Hong Kong Customs Seizes 40,000 Illicit Cigarettes in Operation Thunder Amid Anti-Smoking Campaign

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes

From September 19 to October 6, Hong Kong Customs and the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health launched a joint enforcement operation codenamed "Thunder" in various districts across Hong Kong to combat telephone ordering of illicit cigarettes and related leaflets distribution activities in public rental housing (PRH) estates. Afterwards, Customs yesterday and today (October 6 and 7) conducted anti-illicit cigarette publicity activities with a member of the Legislative Council, District Councilors and multiple government departments, bringing anti-illicit cigarette messages to the community through different channels.

During operation "Thunder", Customs officers detected a total of 39 illicit cigarette cases and seized a total of about 40 000 suspected illicit cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $180,000 and a duty potential of about $130,000. Thirty-four men and five women, aged between 19 and 81, were arrested. Most of the arrested persons purchased the illicit cigarettes for personal consumption, and all cases have been duly followed up. At the same time, Customs handed over three suspected illicit cigarette leaflets distribution cases to TACO for follow-up investigations.

Moreover, Customs on October 7 and 8 collaborated with Legislative Council member Mr Frankie Ngan, several Kowloon East District Councilors, TACO, the Police and a Community Care Team to publicise anti-illicit cigarette messages in a number of PRH estates. During the event, Customs officers patrolled the housing estates, set up a promotional booth, distributed promotion leaflets to residents and encouraged them to report suspected illicit cigarette trading activities to Customs.

Customs reminds young people, especially students, not to be involved in illicit cigarette activities or distribution of illicit cigarette flyers to avoid creating a criminal record that may affect their future.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement to vigorously combat illicit cigarette activities through risk assessment, intelligence analysis and interception at source. If PRH units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette activities, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. 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 182 80 80 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs conducts interdepartmental anti-illicit cigarette enforcement operation and publicity activities to combat illicit cigarette-related crimes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business

Hong Kong Customs mounted a territory-wide enforcement operation codenamed "Magpie" between December 9 and yesterday (December 20) to combat illegal activities involving party room operators providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business.

Through intelligence analysis and with the assistance of copyright owners, Customs earlier identified a number of party rooms suspected of possessing and providing infringing karaoke songs to customers in the course of business. Customs officers then took enforcement action and raided 15 party rooms in various districts, including Tuen Mun, Kwai Chung, Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay. A total of 16 sets of karaoke devices used for playing suspected infringing songs, one set of game console with suspected pirated electronic games, and a batch of audio and video equipment were seized. The total estimated market value is approximately $400,000. Three men aged between 31 and 40, were arrested for being suspected of contravening the Copyright Ordinance. They were all persons-in-charge of the party rooms. The investigation is ongoing and further arrest may be made.

Customs reminds business operators to comply with the Copyright Ordinance and to make enquiries to copyright owners on matters relating to the use of musical visual recordings in the course of business.

Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of infringing activities to safeguard the rights of copyright owners.

Under the Ordinance, any person, who without the licence of the copyright owner of a copyright work, possesses infringing copies of a copyright work for the purpose of, or in the course of, any trade or business with the view to it being used by any person commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years.

Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs combats provision of infringing karaoke songs by party rooms in course of business Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases