Customs detects two cases of smuggling cigarettes in shipping containers

21/10/2024 5:46

        In the past week, Customs stepped up its crackdown on cigarette smuggling by sea and detected two cases of smuggling cigarettes in sea containers. A total of about 53 million suspected illicit cigarettes were seized, with an estimated market value of about NT$240 million; of which about NT$20 million was seized. The illicit cigarettes seized were "white brand cigarettes", accounting for about 40% of the total seized volume.
        
        In the first case, Customs inspected a 40-foot container at the Kwai Chung Customs Building last Friday morning that arrived from Taiwan and was to be transshipped to Foshan, Guangdong. It was reported to contain recycled metal. However, after inspection, it was revealed to containe about 11 million suspected illicit cigarettes, which were later seized. The case is still under investigation.
        
        In the second case, Customs intercepted a suspicious cargo ship in the sea off Tsing Yi last Saturday morning. After inspection, Customs officers found a total of about 42 million suspected illicit cigarettes. Seven non-local men aged between 28 and 51 were arrested, including a captain and six crew members. The 47-year-old captain was arrested and charged with importing unmanifested cargo and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today.