The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, met the media today (October 28) with the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, on the operational arrangem… read more
Hong Kong Customs today (October 28) conducted joint anti-illicit cigarette publicity campaigns with the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health and the Housing Department (HD) at Model Housing Estate in Quarry Bay. Customs also publicised the Duty Stamp System.
Customs officers patrolled the housing estate and introduced to residents Customs’ enforcement actions against illicit cigarettes, and reminded them that the maximum penalty for offences related to duty-not-paid cigarettes has been increased to a $2 million fine and seven-years’ imprisonment. Customs also explained to estate security personnel how to deal with suspected illicit cigarette activities.
Customs officers also introduced to the residents the Duty Stamp System to be implemented in Hong Kong. The three-month Pilot Run for the Duty Stamp System launched by Customs concluded early this year. The department will continue to maintain close communication with all stakeholders and optimise the design and implementation details of the system. Customs expects the Duty Stamp System to achieve the ultimate goal of effective distinguishment of duty-paid cigarettes from duty-not-paid ones, and to combat “cheap whites”.
Customs will continue to strengthen publicity and education to raise public awareness of anti-illicit cigarettes. If public rental housing units are found to be involved in illicit cigarette crimes, Customs will notify the HD for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings. Customs reminds members of the public not to buy or sell illicit cigarettes or distribute illicit cigarette leaflets to avoid creating a criminal record that could affect their future.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (Cap. 109), anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. Members of the public are urged to report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
In accordance with the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Cap. 371), no person shall distribute any smoking product advertisement (including any promotional leaflet). Any person who contravenes the regulation is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000. Members of the public are also urged to report any suspected activities of illicit cigarette leaflet distribution to TACO’s hotline 2961 8823.
Hong Kong Customs today (October 28) arrested a jersey shop male person-in-charge on suspicion of engaging in wrongly accepting payments in the course of selling jerseys, letter printing and badges, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).
Customs earlier received a number of reports alleging that someone sold jerseys, letter printing and badges online and through a physical shop but failed to supply the ordered goods within the specified date or a reasonable period after accepting payments from customers. Also, no refund was offered in a timely manner. As of yesterday (October 27), the reports received by Customs involved 38 customers, with the total amount involved being about $67,000.
After investigations, Customs officers today arrested a 50-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case. He is the person-in-charge of the jersey shop in Mong Kok.
An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO and consumers to procure products at reputable shops.
Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 27) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming air passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 5.5 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, with an estimated market value of about $6 million. One man was arrested.
A 33-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected crack cocaine inside his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 29).
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
Hong Kong Interbank Clearing Limited (HKICL) has recently noted two fraudulent websites purported to be from HKICL: