On Thursday, Customs raided a suspected storage facility in Yuen Long, seizing approximately 6.7 million illicit cigarettes and 570,000 alternative smoked products, valued at an estimated HK$33 million, with a duty potential of HK$22 million.
In the early hours of Friday, Customs arrested a 36-year-old man outside a hotel in Tin Shui Wai.
He was found in possession of 90,000 illicit cigarettes and 110,000 alternative smoking products.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate used air passengers to smuggle these items, which were stored in hotel rooms for further distribution.
The man, who claimed to be unemployed, faces charges and will appear in Tuen Mun Magistrate’s Courts on Saturday.
Seized alternative smoking products will be handed over to the Department of Health for further action.
Over the past two weeks, Customs intercepted 20 illicit cigarette smuggling cases at the airport, arresting 13 men and eight women.
About 600,000 illicit cigarettes and 460,000 alternative smoking products were seized, with an estimated market value of HK$4 million.
A follow-up operation at a Yuen Long logistics warehouse led to the arrest of a 44-year-old driver after the discovery of 6 million illicit cigarettes.
He was released on bail pending further investigation.
