Customs officers have shut down 15 illicit cigarette storage facilities, seizing 450,000 cigarettes worth $860,000 and with a dutiable value of $540,000, and arresting 48 people.

In the two-month operation concluding today, Customs officers posed as buyers, making orders for illicit cigarettes by calling the telephone numbers printed on leaflets.

Forty cases were detected. Of the 32 men and 16 women arrested, four were buyers and 44 sellers, aged 15 to 74.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone dealing, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes faces two years' jail and a $1 million fine.

Call 2545 6182 to report suspected illicit cigarette activities.