Customs Seize Over 12.55 Million Hong Kong Dollars in Contraband Cigarettes and Arrest

Today, Customs searched a concealed cigarette warehouse near Poon King Expressway, confiscating contraband cigarettes valued at approximately 12.55 million Hong Kong dollars. In a parking lot of a mall, they detained a mainland driver with 980,000 suspected contraband cigarettes. Further investigation revealed an additional 181,000 suspected cigarettes, making a total of 279,000 cigarettes.

Customs officers today (November 5) seized 2.79 million contraband cigarettes with a value of approximately HK$12.55 million from a remote warehouse on Prince Edward Road East. Initially, at a shopping mall parking lot in the morning, customs officers intercepted a truck in the unloading area and seized around 980,000 suspected contraband cigarettes, arresting a 52-year-old mainland Chinese driver. Following this, customs officers conducted a deeper investigation and discovered another approximately 1.81 million suspected contraband cigarettes originating from a hidden metal shed on Prince Edward Road East. Customs estimated that the criminals repackaged the cigarettes in the metal shed for export purposes. By cracking down on this operation, they believe they have dismantled a contraband cigarette trafficking chain from its source. The mainland Chinese driver remains under investigation and customs will continue to trace the source of the cigarettes, with the possibility of more arrests. The public is encouraged to call the 24-hour customs hotline at 182 8080 or use the dedicated online reporting system ([email protected]) or the website form (https://eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002) to report suspected contraband cigarette activities.

Customs operations targeting contraband cigarettes have led to significant seizures and arrests. In a shopping mall parking lot, customs officers intercepted a truck in the unloading area, seizing around 980,000 suspected contraband cigarettes. This led to the arrest of a 52-year-old mainland Chinese driver. Further investigation revealed another approximately 1.81 million suspected contraband cigarettes hidden in a remote metal shed on Prince Edward Road East. Customs officers estimate that criminals were repackaging these cigarettes for export, dismantling a contraband cigarette trafficking chain.

The seizure of approximately 2.79 million contraband cigarettes valued at HK$12.55 million marks a significant breakthrough in customs operations. The initial find at a shopping mall parking lot included 980,000 suspected cigarettes, with the mainland Chinese driver arrested. Further investigation at a remote metal shed on Prince Edward Road East uncovered another 1.81 million suspected cigarettes. This operation has led customs to believe they have shut down a trafficking chain by targeting its source. The driver remains under investigation, and more arrests may follow as customs trace the origin of the contraband cigarettes.