HK$27 million illicit cigarettes seized in Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung

Customs officers have uncovered the largest illicit cigarette storage case since tobacco control ordinance were amended in mid-September, seizing about 6 million untaxed cigarettes valued at approximately HK$27 million, with a duty potential of around HK$20 million. A 54-year-old unemployed Vietnamese man was arrested during the operation in Tsuen Wan and Kwai Chung.

Investigation supervisor Lee Ka-lam stated that the operation began on Monday evening at a logistics warehouse in Kwai Chung, where officers intercepted a shipment destined for overseas and discovered about 900,000 untaxed cigarettes. Following further investigation, Customs raided an industrial building in Tsuen Wan.

There, officers spotted a suspicious man moving cardboard boxes at a loading bay and immediately intercepted him. Inspection revealed around 2.7 million untaxed cigarettes at the bay, leading to the man’s arrest. Subsequently, officers found an additional 1.8 million cigarettes in a truck parked in the building’s loading area and 600,000 cigarettes in a unit.

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Customs noted that the criminals took advantage of the evening, when most tenants had left, to minimize the risk of detection. The storage area covered about 1,000 square feet, and the cigarette brands seized are not commonly seen in Hong Kong. It is believed the syndicate intended to repackage the cigarettes for export to high-tax countries for substantial profits.

Customs emphasized that they will continue to investigate the source and distribution network of the illicit cigarettes and do not rule out further arrests. They pledged to adopt a comprehensive strategy to rigorously combat illicit cigarette activities.