Hong Kong customs seizes HK$33 million of illicit cigarettes hidden on tugboat

Hong Kong customs has arrested three men and confiscated HK$33 million (US$4.2 million) worth of untaxed cigarettes hidden in a secret cargo hold on a tugboat, after intercepting the vessel that arrived from mainland China.

The Customs and Excise Department said on Friday they had seized the 7.4 million black-market cigarettes the day before, following increased sea patrols prompted by intelligence on cross-border sea smuggling activities.

The tugboat was spotted taking a roundabout path in the southwest waters of Hong Kong after entering the city from the mainland at daybreak on Thursday, according to Inspector Chan King-fung of customs’ marine support unit.

He said the vessel, carrying three Hong Kong crew members, was intercepted off Aberdeen.

“The crew claimed it did not carry any declared goods aboard, but their nervous behaviour aroused our suspicion,” he said.