Hong Kong’s Customs and Excise Department has reported a significant surge in contraband activity, with officials seizing 600 million illicit cigarette sticks between January and September 2026. Commissioner Chan Tsz-tat confirmed the figures during a radio appearance on Saturday, noting that the volume of seized goods in just nine months has already reached levels comparable to the entirety of 2025.

To combat the influx of illegal tobacco, the department is preparing to implement advanced contraband detection equipment across additional border checkpoints. Commissioner Chan stated that these technological upgrades are intended to alleviate manpower pressures on customs officers who are currently tasked with screening high volumes of cross-border traffic. While the department has not provided a specific breakdown of the origins of the seized cigarettes, the move to bolster border security suggests an ongoing effort to curb smuggling operations that have persisted despite existing enforcement measures.

The department’s strategy focuses on balancing the need for efficient trade flow with the necessity of intercepting illicit goods. By integrating new detection tools, customs officials aim to improve their success rate in identifying contraband without significantly delaying legitimate cross-border travel and commerce. The announcement highlights the department's concern regarding the scale of the illicit trade, which continues to challenge local enforcement resources as smuggling tactics evolve.