Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected smuggling case involving illicit cigarettes worth about 7 million HK dollars (about 900,000 U.S. dollars) with a duty potential of about 5 million HK dollars, a Customs spokesmam said here on Tuesday.

Customs officers intercepted an incoming lorry at Lok Ma Chau Control Point on Tuesday, and they found about 2.6 million sticks of suspected illicit cigarettes in 210 carton boxes after thorough inspection. A 40-year-old male driver was arrested.

The spokesman said the operation showed the effectiveness of the enforcement strategy, especially the escalated enforcement actions against smuggling activities at source.

Under the Import and Export Ordinance, smuggling is a serious offence in Hong Kong. The maximum penalty is a fine of 2 million HK dollars and imprisonment for seven years.

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