2 women jailed for importing illicit cigarettes, one a repeat offender

Two female incoming passengers were sentenced to imprisonment by Fanling Magistrates' Courts on Tuesday for importing or possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes, Customs said.

A 43-year-old Chinese female passenger was intercepted at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on April 19 with 13,800 illicit cigarettes worth about HK$59,000, with a duty value of about HK$46,000. She was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined HK$1,000.

A 49-year-old local woman was intercepted at Lo Wu Control Point on May 21 with 981 illicit cigarettes worth about HK$4,000. She was released on bail but was intercepted again at Lok Ma Chau Spur Line on June 6 with 1,261 cigarettes worth about HK$5,000. She was sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment and fined HK$2,000.

Customs welcomed the sentences, noting that even first-time offenders can face imprisonment.

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