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

Interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements summarises visitor arrivals to Hong Kong during National Day Golden Week

The seven-day National Day Golden Week of the Mainland ended yesterday (October 7), with the overall number of inbound visitors aligning with earlier estimates. The number recorded on National Day (October 1) reached a daily record high since the post-pandemic full opening of the borders.

During the seven-day National Day Golden Week, the Immigration Department recorded a total of around 1.38 million visitors coming to Hong Kong through various sea, land and air control points. Among them, Mainland visitors accounted for about 1.22 million, representing 88 per cent of the total arrivals. The daily average of Mainland visitors was around 170 000, which exceeded that of the 2023 National Day Golden Week and the 2024 Labour Day Golden Week around 27 per cent and some 13 per cent respectively.

Mainland inbound visitor arrivals peaked on National Day with around 220 000 visitors arriving in Hong Kong, marking a daily record high since the post-pandemic opening of the borders and setting a corresponding record for the overall number of visitors to Hong Kong in a single day. During the National Day Golden Week, the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and the Express Rail Link West Kowloon were the two ports with the highest daily average number of Mainland visitors, and operations at various control points and transport services ran smoothly.

Regarding large-scale events, the National Day Fireworks Display over Victoria Harbour on October 1 attracted over 330 000 spectators. The event concluded with effective crowd control arrangements and was well-received by local residents and tourists.

Visitors went to different parts of Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, with high visitor flow observed at major tourist attractions including the West Kowloon Cultural District, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Peak Tram and Ngong Ping 360. Smooth and effective crowd management measures were implemented. In addition, according to the information provided by the hotel industry, the overall hotel occupancy rate during the first four days of the Golden Week (October 1 to 4) reached 90 per cent.

In terms of tour groups, according to the Travel Industry Authority's information, around 1 050 Mainland inbound tour groups visited Hong Kong during the National Day Golden Week, with around 80 per cent engaged in overnight itineraries. These tour groups involved around 36 000 visitors, accounting for around 3 per cent of all Mainland visitors, and they were generally in good order.

The interdepartmental working group on festival arrangements, led by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, is pleased to note that the rich array of National Day special offers from the Government and various sectors of society were well-received by the public. Among them, the 1st October Movie Fiesta: Half-Price Spectacular 2024 organised by the Hong Kong Theatres Association and subsidised by the Government took place in 59 commercial theatres across Hong Kong. On the day of the event, there were nearly 2 000 screenings, with cumulative admissions reaching 189 000, breaking last year's record of 155 000 and representing an increase of 22 per cent. Free admission was offered to museums and art spaces under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department on October 1, attracting nearly 60 000 attendees. Among them, there were more than 11 000 visitors to the Hong Kong Space Museum, setting a record for single-day attendance.

In addition, several public transportation services provided free rides or discounts during National Day, benefitting a total of approximately 4.43 million passengers. Different sectors such as catering and retail actively launched special offers to attract spending from both locals and visitors, contributing to a festive atmosphere throughout the city. Various trade representatives and merchants reported increased customer flow and business during National Day.

The embarkation and disembarkation arrangements for two homeport deployments of a mega cruise ship at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal (KTCT) during the National Day Golden Week of the Mainland were smooth, with various transport services arranged to adequately meet visitor needs. Notably, direct coach services connecting the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and KTCT were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board in collaboration with a local coach operator to provide facilitation for a total of 3 500 Mainland visitors.

Mr Chan said, "Thanks to the concerted efforts of relevant government departments, organisations and industries in making preparations and responses, this year's arrangements for receiving visitors during the National Day Golden Week operated smoothly, enabling both locals and visitors to celebrate National Day together. The Government will draw on this experience and further enhance various arrangements in future to provide an even better experience for visitors to Hong Kong during festive periods."