Mainland woman jailed over child-carried illicit cigarettes
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A 48-year-old mainland Chinese ქალი was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment on July 31 after Hong Kong Customs intercepted 1,581 duty-not-paid cigarettes linked to her entry into Hong Kong through Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. The cigarettes were found in a backpack carried by a child travelling with her, and the woman was convicted of possessing illicit cigarettes and failing to make a declaration to customs officers.
Key Points
- Hong Kong Customs stopped the woman and a child travelling with her when they entered via Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on July 29
- Officers found 1,581 duty-not-paid cigarettes inside the backpack carried by the accompanying child during the inspection
- The seized cigarettes had an estimated market value of about HK$7,900 and a duty potential of about HK$5,200
- The 48-year-old woman was arrested immediately and sentenced at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on July 31 to eight weeks in jail.
- Customs said the offences involved possession of untaxed cigarettes and failure to declare them under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance
Why It Matters
The sentence gives a clear indication that Hong Kong courts are prepared to impose immediate custodial punishment in cross-boundary illicit cigarette cases involving undeclared tobacco products. Customs said imprisonment carries considerable deterrent effect and reminded the public that importing, handling, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is illegal, with a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years' imprisonment.