Cartons of cigarettes can be seen packed inside the speakers, which were seized during a bust at a Shenzhen border crossing on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3096171/hong-kong-authorities-intercept-illegal-cigarettes Law and Crime
Hong Kong authorities intercept illegal cigarettes hidden in speakers at Shenzhen border crossing
- One source says the efforts at concealment indicate smugglers are transitioning to more sophisticated methods
- The bust comes amid a massive surge in tobacco smuggling, with seizures in the first six months of this year representing a 15-year record high
Customs authorities display some HK$1.7 million worth of contraband cigarettes found concealed in hi-fi speakers on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
Some HK$1.7 million (US$219,342) worth of contraband cigarettes were found concealed in a shipment of hi-fi speakers on Tuesday, in what one law enforcement source said was an indication that smugglers were resorting to more sophisticated methods in an attempt to avoid detection.
The source said the new tactics came amid a massive surge in cigarette smuggling, with customs officers confiscating 111 million illicit cigarettes – valued at an estimated HK$304 million in the underground market – between January and June this year, a fivefold increase from the 20 million cigarettes seized in the same period last year.
“The cigarettes seized in the first six months of this year are a 15-year half-year record high,” the source said.
About two-thirds of the contraband intercepted this year was seized from a syndicate that used shipping containers to smuggle illicit cigarettes into the city from different countries.
“We have noticed recently that smugglers have used sophisticated concealment methods to avoid our detection,” the source said.
He said officers would continue to monitor smugglers’ activities and analyse their modi operandi before taking action to halt the illegal tobacco trade.
On Tuesday, customs officers stopped a truck entering the city from the mainland for an inspection at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.
“Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes concealed inside 516 speakers, which were placed inside 86 cartons mix-loaded with other goods on board the lorry,” the Customs and Excise Department said.
According to the department, the haul of 620,000 cigarettes had an estimated street value of HK$1.7 million, and would have come with duties totalling about HK$1.2 million had they been imported legally.
The 41-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of importing unmanifested cargo – an offence that carries a maximum penalty of seven years in jail and a HK$2 million fine. The man has been released on bail, pending further investigation.
According to the department, members of the public can report any suspected illicit cigarette-related activities by calling its 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182.