Prohibited parcels: Customs officers have seized 950,0000 illicit cigarettes worth $1.5 million and with a duty potential of $770,000 at the Air Mail Centre.

Customs officers have arrested three people in Hong Kong's largest illicit cigarette seizure so far this year.

In a special operation from April 22 to May 5, officers seized 950,0000 illicit cigarettes worth $1.5 million and with a duty potential of $770,000 at the Air Mail Centre.

Customs Air Cargo (Import) Division found 420,000 cigarettes in 65 airmail parcels destined for the UK. In follow-up investigations a further 530,000 cigarettes were taken from a Sheung Wan storage unit where they arrested three people aged 19 to 35.

Customs Divisional Commander Wong Hung-san said officers work with Hongkong Post to deter smuggling activities through airmail. Advanced technologies like X-ray machines and ion scanners inspect inbound and outbound airmail.

Officers have cracked 47 contraband cases at the Air Mail Centre since January, including illicit cigarettes, counterfeit goods, prohibited weapons, drugs and copyright-infringing goods. Last year they detected 293 cases.