Additional temporary shelters opened and interdepartmental help desk set up (2)
Due to the fire incident at Wang Fuk Court, Tai Po, the Tai Po District Office (TPDO) today (November 26) has opened the following additional temporary shelters for people in need:
Name
Address
Tai Wo Neighbourhood Community Centre
Tai Wo Estate, Tai Po
Tung Cheong Street Sports Centre
25 Tung Cheong Street, Tai Po
Hong Kong PHAB Association - New Territories PHAB Centre
Unit 110-115, G/F, Kwong Ping House, Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po
The TPDO has opened temporary shelters at Kwong Fuk Community Hall (Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po), Tung Cheong Street Community Hall (1/F, Tai Po Tung Cheong Street Leisure Building, 25 Tung Cheong Street, Tai Po), Tai Po Community Centre (Heung Sze Wui Street, Tai Po), Fu Shin Community Hall (12 On Po Road, Tai Po) and "Good House" (The Society of Rehabilitation and Crime Prevention) (168 Shuen Wan Chan Uk, Tai Po) earlier today for residents in need. CCC Fung Leung Kit Memorial Secondary School is also open to accommodate residents evacuated.
Due to police operations, the temporary shelter previously opened at Kwong Fuk Community Hall (Kwong Fuk Estate, Tai Po) has now been closed.
In addition, apart from the interdepartmental help desk at Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital (hotline: 2658 4040) set up by the TPDO and the interdepartmental help desk at Prince of Wales Hospital (hotline: 3505 1555) set up by the STDO earlier today, the North District Office has set up an interdepartmental help desk at North District Hospital (hotline: 2683 7567) for assistance and public enquiries.
The TPDO will closely monitor the situation, open additional temporary shelters as needed, and liaise with other government departments to provide residents with appropriate assistance.
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products
Three incoming passengers were sentenced to between three to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4) and today (May 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as for importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).
Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 34 and 38, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on May 1 and seized around 37 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a market value of about $188,000 and a duty potential of about $124,000, as well as around 85 000 alternative smoking products, with a market value of about $229,000, from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 yesterday.
In addition, Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 24, at HKIA yesterday. Customs officers seized about 30 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $121,000 and a duty potential of about $98,000. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, 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.
Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 illicit cigarette 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).
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and importing alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
