Illegal cigarette activities taken down a notch

Many thanks to strict enforcement action.

Public complaints about illicit cigarette activities dropped 16% year-on-year in the first eight months this year, due to stringent enforcement action.

According to a news report from news.gov.hk, the Customs & Excise Department has said it has been sustaining vigorous enforcement against illicit cigarette activities on all fronts, including smuggling, distribution, storage and peddling activities.

It said its strategy of enforcement at source remains effective with 15 significant cases cracked so far this year.

The report also noted that raids have resulted in a notable scaling down of distribution and storage activities, and illicit cigarettes seizures have been averaging 58,000 cigarettes a case, a year-on-year drop of 64%.

The Customs & Excise Department has cracked down on 190 telephone ordering cases of illicit cigarettes in the first eight months, increasing 50% year-on-year.