Six arrested after Customs seize illicit cigarettes worth $114mn

Customs seized around 25 million illicit cigarettes on two fishing vessels in the waters off Sai Wan and Cyberport and arrested six non-local men.

Officers said they intercepted and inspected the two suspicious vessels early on Tuesday morning (Dec 31) before finding illicit cigarettes worth about HK$114 million inside the compartments of the vessels.

The smuggled cigarettes are said to be with a duty potential of about HK$84 million. 

The arrestees, aged between 35 and 41, will be charged with importing unmanifested cargo and one of them will be charged with possession of goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies.

Customs said it will continue to trace the illicit cigarettes' source and flow, and further arrests are not ruled out.