9th September 2026 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs yesterday uncovered an export transit point for illicit cigarettes in Kwai Chung and two packaging and storage sites in Kwu Tung, North District, seizing about 12.8 million duty‑not‑paid cigarettes, 6,300 kilograms of tobacco, 14,000 alternative smoking products and 1,800 boxes of smokeless tobacco. The haul carries an estimated market value of roughly HK$102 million with a duty potential near HK$67.65 million. Officers arrested a 55‑year‑old local lorry driver who was allegedly preparing outbound cargo when intercepted inside a logistics warehouse in Kwai Chung, where approximately 1.04 million cigarettes were found in his truck. Place names verified: Kwai Chung and Kwu Tung.
Follow‑up searches at two nearby tin‑sheet yards in Kwu Tung yielded a further 6.1 million suspected duty‑not‑paid cigarettes and 6,300 kilograms of processed tobacco at one site, and about 5.68 million suspected duty‑not‑paid cigarettes, 1,800 boxes of smokeless tobacco and 14,000 alternative smoking products at the other. Investigators say some processed tobacco had been disguised as pet food for export, while syndicate members allegedly repacked consignments in different warehouses, used noise‑dampening tape to muffle packaging sounds and moved goods by lorry at night to evade detection.
Customs said inquiries into the supply chain are continuing and further arrests are not ruled out. The department reiterated that illicit cigarette enforcement targets the full chain — from upstream interdiction to mid‑stream warehouse crackdowns and downstream street‑level action — and urged logistics operators, freight forwarders and couriers to exercise vigilance and refuse unknown‑origin cargo to avoid being exploited for smuggling.
Authorities reminded the public that smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, anyone convicted of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo faces a maximum penalty of HK$2 million and seven years’ imprisonment. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, dealing with, possessing, selling or buying duty‑not‑paid cigarettes also carries a maximum penalty of HK$2 million and seven years’ imprisonment. Suspected activities can be reported to Customs’ 24‑hour hotline on 182 8080 or via its dedicated crime‑reporting channels.