Chung Ying Street Checkpoint Reopens with Facial Recognition for Streamlined Access

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today (with photos/video)

The opening ceremony of the reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok was held today (December 23). A pilot scheme for facial recognition technology has been introduced at the new checkpoint, allowing people living or working at Chung Ying Street to access the area unimpeded through "contactless channels" without having to stop and produce their Closed Area Permit (CAP) or use their fingerprint to verify their identity. The aim is to facilitate the flow of people and enhance the checkpoint's processing capacity.

Addressing the opening ceremony, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, noted that to facilitateentry to and exit from Chung Ying Street, the Government has replaced the former checkpoint made up of marquees with a permanent structure, and for the first time introduced facial recognition technology. This allows people living and working on Chung Ying Street to be the first to use "contactless channels" for unimpeded access. The Government will continue to explore the application of relevant technology to complement the future opening of Chung Ying Street for tourism. In the future, holders of valid CAPs for access to Chung Ying Street may, upon prior enrolment, pass through the checkpoint via "contactless channels". In adopting the pilot scheme, the Government hopes to replace the current mode of manual inspections through applying innovative technology to assist users of the checkpoint, enhance the checkpoint's capacity, and highlight Hong Kong's high-quality digital technology as an international metropolis.

Mr Chan also expressed his gratitude to the various government departments and organisations for their joint efforts in the successful completion of the reprovision project, thereby providing better facilities for Chung Ying Street, an area rich in unique historical and cultural value.

The checkpoint's design has integrated historical and modern elements, showcasing the characteristics of Hong Kong's traditional train stations. Its exterior wall is decorated with copper plate engravings featuring a historical train, preserving the history of the branch line. In addition, multiple energy-saving designs have been incorporated in the checkpoint which combines functionality and aesthetics, creating a cultural landmark for Chung Ying Street.

​Other officiating guests included the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Permanent Secretary for Security, Mr Patrick Li; the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho; the Director of Immigration, Mr Kwok Joon-fung; the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Mr Chow Yat-ming; the Deputy Director of Architectural Services, Mr Alan Sin; the Chairman of the New Territories Heung Yee Kuk, Mr Kenneth Lau; and the Chairman of the Sha Tau Kok District Rural Committee, Mr Lee Koon-hung.

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Opening ceremony of reprovisioned Chung Ying Street Checkpoint in Sha Tau Kok held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 21) and today (May 22), and seized a total of about 21.8 kilograms of assorted drugs with a total estimated market value of about $7.95 million. Two men and one woman, aged between 38 and 49, were arrested.

In the first case, Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old man and a 49-year-old woman in Tseung Kwan O during an anti-narcotics operation yesterday afternoon. About 3.8kg of suspected drugs, including ketamine, methamphetamine, etomidate capsules, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia were found in their residence in the same district. They were then arrested.

In the second case, a 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase and 33 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested man and woman in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 23), while an investigation is ongoing for the second case.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $7.95 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases