More than 100 smugglers make five or six return trips a day between Hong Kong and Shenzhen carrying contraband cigarettes through the Lo Wu checkpoint, a senior customs officer says.
Tailor-made clothing with secret pockets and body packs are among methods used to hide the cigarettes, according to Superintendent Kong Shui-wing of customs' revenue and general investigation bureau.
'A tailor-made dress with 70 pockets and a jacket with 50 pockets to hide packets of illicit cigarettes have been discovered,' he said.
Some smugglers tied the contraband around their waists and legs and others hid it in backpacks and bags when they returned to Hong Kong. To avoid being picked up for inspection, some elderly smugglers mingled with elderly tourists on their way into Hong Kong.
The superintendent believed three-quarters of the smugglers were working for syndicates.
'Investigation shows they are paid HK$12 to HK$15 for carrying one carton of cigarettes into Hong Kong. Each time, they can carry up to 10 cartons,' Kong said.
