Customs seize HK$24 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco
Officers seize HK$24m worth of cigarettes and tobacco destined for Australian market
Customs officers smashed an international smuggling syndicate, seizing HK$24 million worth of counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco.
The 9.3 million cigarettes and 90kg of tobacco were found in a container that arrived in Hong Kong from Port Kelang in Malaysia via Singapore.
Wan Hing-chuen, who heads customs' illicit tobacco investigation unit, said the goods were apparently destined for Australia - "Made in Germany for the Australian market" was printed on the packaging.
"We believe the consignment might have gone to several more ports in a circuitous route before reaching Australia," he said, adding that the route was designed to evade law enforcers.
The customs declaration said the container held toilet paper. Shipping documents indicated its consignee was a trading firm in Shantou , Guangdong. "Our suspicions were raised because it was unusual for toilet paper to be exported from Malaysia to the mainland," said senior superintendent Lam Tak-fai of the city's Ports and Maritime Command.
Lam said the consignment was placed under surveillance after it arrived at the Kwai Chung container terminal on April 12.