Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigars
An incoming passenger was sentenced to 80 days of imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts today (May 25) for possessing duty-not-paid cigars and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 41, at the Hong Kong International Airport on May 22 and seized about 8.7 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars, with an estimated market value of about $331,000 and a duty potential of about $37,000, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigars are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid cigars commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigars Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Traffic and public transport arrangements upon commissioning of Hong Kong International Airport Terminal 2
The Transport Department (TD) said today (May 25) that upon the commissioning of the new departure facilities at Terminal 2 (T2) of Hong Kong International Airport, respective traffic and public transport arrangements will be implemented to provide convenience for the public and travellers.
Traffic arrangements
Sky Plaza Road, which connects the drop-off area of T2, will be opened from 0.00am on May 27 (Wednesday). Appropriate traffic signs and road markings have been put in place to guide motorists.
Public transport arrangements
(1) Railway: Platform 3 (AsiaWorld-Expo Station bound) and Platform 4 (Hong Kong Station bound) at Airport Station of the MTR Airport Express, which connect to T2, have commenced service;
(2) Franchised buses: Starting from their first departures on May 27, the airport-bound services of 29 airport bus A routes and 17 overnight airport bus NA routes operated by Citybus and Long Win Bus (see details at Annex) will serve the T2 drop-off area after stopping at T1. Services towards urban areas and the New Territories will remain unchanged and passengers may continue to board at the Airport (Ground Transportation Centre). The TD has steered operators to closely monitor passenger demand and strengthen services when necessary.
The TD reminded passengers to refer to notices, websites or mobile apps of the MTR Corporation Limited and bus operators, scan the QR codes on board, or heed the announcement system to take note of the terminal of their airlines and bus stop locations in advance;
(3) Non-franchised buses: The indoor Coach Waiting Hall at T2 has come into operation. Passengers should refer to the ticketing arrangements of respective operators; and
(4) Taxis: The location of the taxi stand outside the Arrivals Hall of T1, and the Prebooked Taxi Pick-up Zone adjacent to Car Park 1 remain unchanged.
A spokesman for the TD said, “In the initial period upon the commissioning of T2, traffic in the vicinity may be busier during certain periods. The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre will closely monitor traffic and public transport conditions in the airport area. Members of the public and travellers should plan their journeys ahead and reserve time to adapt to the new arrangements.”
The public and travellers may refer to the latest traffic news through radio and TV broadcasts, the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk) and the HKeMobility mobile app.
Source: AI-found images
