TD deeply saddened by passing of operator staff member
The Transport Department (TD) is deeply saddened today (May 23) by the passing of an operator staff member in a traffic accident while working at Nam Wan Tunnel, and expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. The TD has requested the contractor to provide all practicable assistance to the family.
In the small hours today, the staff member was conducting traffic management on the closed slow lane at the Kowloon-bound entrance to facilitate the recovery of a broken-down vehicle in the slow lane inside the tunnel. The TD attaches great importance to work safety and has long required operators to strictly comply with relevant work guidelines. Initial investigations revealed that all staff members at the scene were wearing reflective vests and were following the operator's guidelines.
Police investigations into the cause of incident are underway. The TD has requested that the operator render full assistance to the investigations and submit a detailed report on the case. The TD will follow up appropriately upon its findings.
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 11) and seized a total of about 11.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million.
The first case involved a 39-year-old non-local male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Ko Samui, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.5kg of suspected cannabis buds were found inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved another non-local male passenger, aged 37, who also arrived in Hong Kong from Ko Samui, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds were found inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (January 13).
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.
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 drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
