XN000022-1996-01-10 — Page 8

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The revision aims to make the scheme more attractive to informers and to In effect, encourage them to provide more information on illicit cigarettes. information leading to a seizure between 1,500,001 and 2,000,000 cigarettes will be awarded 50 per cent more than what was payable in the past.

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In 1995, a total of $140,000 of reward was paid out in seven cases. represents an increase of 55 per cent over 1994 in terms of cash rewards paid to informers under the scheme.

The Customs and Excise Department is determined to repress all kinds of illicit cigarette activities, including smuggling, distribution, storage, selling and buying. In 1995, customs officers seized 317.5 million cigarettes as compared with 179 million in 1994, representing an increase of 77 per cent.

The Anti-Cigarette Smuggling Task Force set up since August 1993 aims at the detection and investigation of syndicated smuggling and has achieved significant results. In 1995, the task force seized 284 million cigarettes which represented 89 per cent of the total seizures made by the whole department.

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Reflecting the success of enforcement actions is the black market price of contraband cigarettes which has risen by 40 per cent since the end of 1994. However, the problem of cigarette smuggling has remained serious and the department is determined to continue its efforts to tackle it.

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Recognising that useful information will enhance the department's achievements in this respect, the Tobacco Institute of Hong Kong considers that the reward scheme should continue and has pledged to co-operate fully with the department in the battle against illicit cigarette activities.

The Chairman of the Tobacco Institute, Mr RJ Fletcher, said: "By supporting the efforts of the Customs and Excise Department in combating the crime of smuggling we recognise the impressive results of their efforts to date and hope that our continued assistance with the informant reward scheme will further contribute to its success, which is of considerable benefit to the maintenance of law and order in the community."

Information on illicit cigarettes may be provided to the department in any of the following ways: