Apparently the company turned a blind eye to the problem. They took the attitude that as long as they did not directly involve themselves in smuggling, what distributors did with the cigarettes was none of their concern. The ICAC's Tony Godfrey said Hung still operates his tobacco distribution business out of the Philippines and, despite being wanted on smuggling-related charges in Hong Kong, BAT continues to do business with him. We can't take any action against British American Tobacco. They commit no offence, not in Hong Kong.
BAT has in the past and probably now still deals with criminal organised crime.
He said there was no doubt that BAT knew its cigarettes were being smuggled into China and Taiwan. With Duncan Campbell, Erik J. Schelzig and Leo Sisti. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists is a project of the Centre for Public Integrity. The Age Company Ltd 2001. Any unauthorised use, copying or mirroring is prohibited.