Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs detects two illicit cigarette cases and raids three suspected illicit cigarette storage centres (with photos)
Hong Kong Customs detects two illicit cigarette cases and raids three suspected illicit cigarette storage centres (with photos)
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Hong Kong Customs today (April 20) detected two illicit cigarette cases and raided three suspected illicit cigarette storage centres in Sham Shui Po and Fanling. About 1.6 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $5.9 million and a duty potential of about $4 million were seized.
In the first case, Customs officers at midnight today conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sham Shui Po and seized about 870 000 suspected illicit cigarettes inside a sub-divided flat. A 46-year-old man and a 51-year-old man, both claiming to be unemployed, suspected to be connected to the case were arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized about 120 000 suspected illicit cigarettes in a storage centre in a back alley nearby. During the operation, Customs successfully smashed two suspected illicit cigarette storage centres.
In the second case, Customs officers conducted an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Ping Che, Fanling, at midnight of the same day and seized about 600 000 suspected illicit cigarettes in a metal hut, smashing another suspected illicit cigarette storage centre. Two men, aged 19 and 21, suspected to be connected to the case were arrested. The duo claimed to be unemployed. A light goods vehicle suspected to be used for storing and distributing illicit cigarettes was also detained.
An initial investigation revealed that the three illicit cigarette storage centres involved in the cases were mainly used to supply illicit cigarettes to residents of those districts. Investigations of the two above-mentioned cases are ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will also continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multipronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.
Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
CSD combats illicit collective activities at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (with photos)
****************************************************************************************** The management of the institution received intelligence recently that individual detainees are dissatisfied with the custodial arrangement at the institution along with the stringent requirements to obey the institutional order and routine, and have contemplated taking mass indiscipline actions. The management then closely monitored activities of the target detainees. At 7.25am today, in accordance with the daily routine, correctional officers arranged 17 detainees to leave their dormitories and proceed to a dayroom. However, two detainees (targeted detainees) refused to obey the order of the officers to line up, and the officers immediately intervened to ascertain the reason. During the encounter, the aforesaid two detainees continuously provoked officers and shouted in an attempt to incite the emotions of other detainees. Reinforcement staff arrived at the scene to control the situation and separated the two detainees concerned, pending disciplinary actions. Thereafter, 10 detainees staged a hunger strike during breakfast, demanding that management withdraw all disciplinary actions. Intelligence revealed that other detainees might likely become involved. Following an assessment, the CSD immediately deployed members of the Regional Response Team, the Dog Unit, and other reinforcement teams for back-up of the management of Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution. As at 2pm, a total of 12 detainees were being investigated under separate confinement. The CSD is committed to ensuring a safe and secure custodial environment, and will spare no efforts and take every measure to combat any form of illegal activities to ensure the stability of the institution. Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution is a minimum security detention centre for the detention of male adult detainees under the Immigration Ordinance.
Hong Kong Customs on March 12 seized about 590 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1.6 million and a duty potential of about $1.1 million in Tai Po. Together with the operation conducted in Fanling on March 11, this is another suspected illicit cigarette storage raided by Customs in two consecutive days. During an anti-illicit cigarette operation conducted in Tai Po yesterday afternoon, Customs officers seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes at a residential unit. Two women, aged 43 and 64, suspected to be in connection with the case, were arrested. Investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to combat illicit cigarette activities on all fronts through a multi-pronged approach. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Hong Kong – CSD combats illicit collective activities at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution (with photos)
The Correctional Services Department (CSD) today (August 19) launched an operation to combat illicit collective activities of detainees at Tai Tam Gap Correctional Institution.Hong Kong Customs raids suspected illicit cigarette storage again within two days and seizes suspected illicit cigarettes
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