Hong Kong seizes HK$83 million in black-market cigarettes, bringing year’s haul to HK$1 billion
Officers intercepted 23 million illicit cigarettes stored in two cargo containers aboard vessel during raid earlier this week in waters off Tsing Yi
Hong Kong customs has seized HK$83 million (US$10.5 million) in black-market cigarettes after intercepting a cargo vessel this week, bringing the total value of such contraband uncovered by the department so far this year to more than HK$1 billion.
The haul of 23 million illicit cigarettes, recovered from two cargo containers, was the third such seizure by customs officers in the waters off the island of Tsing Yi over the past three weeks.
The Customs and Excise Department on Wednesday said the latest haul had an estimated street value of HK$83 million, with a duty potential of about HK$56 million.
A source familiar with the case on Thursday said an investigation had suggested about 40 per cent of the confiscated cigarettes were destined for South Korea, while the remainder were set aside for local consumption.
Customs officers were investigating the source of the illegal tobacco products, he added.
According to the department, seven of the vessel’s crew members were arrested on suspicion of importing unmanifested cargo – an offence punishable by up to seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine.