Report No. 84 of the Director of Audit
Report No. 84 of the Director of Audit on the results of value for money audits was tabled in the Legislative Council this morning (April 30).
A value for money audit is an examination into the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which any bureau of the Government Secretariat, department, agency or other public body has discharged its functions. Report No. 84 of the Director of Audit covers a variety of subjects on the administration of government programmes and provision of public services.
Report No. 84 comprises the following eight chapters:
Chapter |
Subject |
1 |
Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales |
2 |
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications |
3 |
Lantau Conservation Fund |
4 |
Management of Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme by the Buildings Department |
5 |
Maritime and Aviation Training Fund |
6 |
Street cleansing services |
7 |
The Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers |
8 |
Working Family Allowance Scheme |
Report No. 84 of the Director of Audit on the results of value for money audits is available on the Audit Commission’s website at www.aud.gov.hk.
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds and duty-not-paid cigarettes at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport today (December 28) and seized about 12 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.5 million. 100 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were also seized from the carry-on baggage of the passenger.
A male passenger, aged 31, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 12kg of suspected cannabis buds in 20 vacuum-sealed plastic bags in his check-in suitcase and 100 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette inside his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and one count of failing to declare them to Customs officers. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 29).
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 to 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 seizes suspected cannabis buds and duty-not-paid cigarettes at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
