Hong Kong customs seizes HK$200 million worth of illegal cigarettes in 2 operations against cross-border smuggling syndicate
- Investigation finds syndicate used barges to deliver illegal tobacco products to Tuen Mun public cargo working area
- Tobacco products seized in operations would have generated HK$132 million in government tax revenue if imported legally
The Customs and Excise Department on Wednesday said an investigation found the syndicate used barges to deliver the illegal tobacco products to the Tuen Mun public cargo working area, where trucks would collect the contraband and transport it to a storage centre.
A source familiar with the operations said previous smuggling cases were often discovered at night, leading the syndicate to change delivery times to before the morning rush hour to evade detection.
In the latest case, officers confiscated HK$80 million in untaxed cigarettes at the Tuen Mun site and arrested four men on May 22.
Customs officers intercepted two container trucks at about 7.30am, just before they left the cargo working area.
Senior Inspector Lam Wai-kit of customs’ revenue crimes investigation bureau said about 21 million illicit cigarettes were found hidden in the two shipping containers, with an estimated street value of HK$80 million.
The two truck drivers and two crew members of the barge involved were arrested on suspicion of dealing with illicit cigarettes – an offence punishable by up to two years in jail and a HK$1 million fine under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
