Customs officers in Hong Kong launched a crackdown on cigarette retailers selling private and untaxed cigarettes from 3 to 5 November, posing as customers to conduct surprise inspections in various retail areas. They conducted surprise checks on seven stalls in areas including Yau Ma Tei, Shen Kow Mong, Tsuen Wan, Tai Wo, and Kwun Tong, arresting ten individuals (aged 43 to 90) including stall owners and staff. The customs officers seized approximately HK$580,000 worth of suspected private and untaxed cigarettes, which were valued at about HK$420,000 when tax is due. Customs emphasized that sellers were legally bound to prove the cigarettes were taxed, or they would be considered private goods. The crackdown is ongoing, and more arrests are possible. Customs Officer Chan Ka Hou stated that the agency had noticed reports of retail points selling private and low-priced untaxed cigarettes. Customs intensified their intelligence and launched the operation. During the three-day operation, customs officers visited different cigarette retail points, including four newspaper stalls, two temporary stalls, and one convenience store. They detained five men and five women aged between 43 and 90, who were the staff and owners of the stall owners. In addition to private cigarettes, customs also found some retail points selling cigarettes with packaging nearly identical to taxed cigarettes but at lower prices. These are known as "white brand cigarettes," which require proof of taxation. If they cannot provide proof, they will be considered private goods. Customs will continue to conduct regular inspections and will take decisive action against any cases of private goods offenses. For cases involving stalls or hawkers, customs will inform the relevant authorities after the court ruling regarding tenancy and license matters.