Customs Officer faces court for allegedly smuggling dutiable cigarettes
2010-12-17
A Customs Officer of the Customs and Excise Department (C&E) appeared in Fanling Magistracy today (Friday) after being charged by the ICAC for allegedly smuggling 1,200 sticks of dutiable cigarettes at the Lo Wu Control Point.
Cheng Chi-fung, 25, pleaded not guilty to three counts of failing to declare to a member of C&E, contrary to Section 34A(3) of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Principal Magistrate Josiah Lam Wai-kuen adjourned the case to January 7 next year for a pre-trial review, and granted the defendant cash bail of $2,000.
At the time of the alleged offences, the defendant was attached to the Passenger Processing Unit at the Lo Wu Control Point. He was responsible for the customs clearance of visitors as well as the prevention and detection of smuggling of dutiable commodi ties.
The charges alleged that on three occasions between February 7 and June 19 this year, the defendant failed to declare the quantity of dutiable goods contained in his personal baggage to a C&E officer at the Lo Wu Control Point.
The defendant was alleged to have smuggled 1,200 sticks of dutiable cigarettes, with 400 sticks on each occasion, which were in excess of the quantities that the Commissioner of Customs and Excise had published in the Gazette.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC investigation revealed the above alleged offences.
C&E had rendered full assistance to the ICAC in its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Alex Ho.
Cheng Chi-fung, 25, pleaded not guilty to three counts of failing to declare to a member of C&E, contrary to Section 34A(3) of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance.
Principal Magistrate Josiah Lam Wai-kuen adjourned the case to January 7 next year for a pre-trial review, and granted the defendant cash bail of $2,000.
At the time of the alleged offences, the defendant was attached to the Passenger Processing Unit at the Lo Wu Control Point. He was responsible for the customs clearance of visitors as well as the prevention and detection of smuggling of dutiable commodi ties.
The charges alleged that on three occasions between February 7 and June 19 this year, the defendant failed to declare the quantity of dutiable goods contained in his personal baggage to a C&E officer at the Lo Wu Control Point.
The defendant was alleged to have smuggled 1,200 sticks of dutiable cigarettes, with 400 sticks on each occasion, which were in excess of the quantities that the Commissioner of Customs and Excise had published in the Gazette.
The case arose from a corruption complaint. Subsequent ICAC investigation revealed the above alleged offences.
C&E had rendered full assistance to the ICAC in its investigation.
The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Alex Ho.