HONG KONG, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong Customs announced on Monday it has seized over 8.51 million sticks of illicit cigarettes worth about 16 million HK dollars (2.06 million U.S. dollars) with a duty potential of about 10 million HK dollars (1.29 million U.S. dollars).
Officers examined a 40-foot container declared as carrying " ovens" on board an incoming river trade vessel from Huangpu Port, Guangzhou and discovered the illicit cigarettes during a joint operation on Sunday.
The container was destined for the United Kingdom via Hong Kong. Customs investigations are underway and no arrest has been made so far.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, selling or buying of illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for two years and a fine of one million HK dollars.
