Hong Kong customs officers have shut down a syndicate allegedly mailing illicit cigarettes to the United Kingdom through express mail, a government press release said Tuesday.

Air Mail Unit officers Monday seized 20,800 duty-not-paid cigarettes in two parcels from two post offices in Hong Kong. One was sent from a Tsuen Wan post office and the other from Kwai Fong.

The Anti-Illicit-Cigarette Investigation Division on Monday conducted a surveillance operation at a Kwai Fong post office, where they arrested a 37-year-old woman. They later apprehended a 41-year-old man at a Sham Shui Po flat. Both were two-way permit holders. Officers seized another two parcels containing 20,800 cigarettes and seven boxes containing 72,000 cigarettes.

Investigations are continuing and the two suspects are being detained.

Source: Xinhua