Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)
Customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old incoming Chinese male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 2). About 28 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes were seized from his personal baggage. The estimated market value was about $142,000, and the duty potential was about $93,800. He was subsequently arrested and was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.Issued at HKT 20:00
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