HKSAR Government establishes Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po and prepares for the establishment of donation platform
A spokesperson for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau stated today (November 27) that in order to provide relief to residents of Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, the Special Administrative Region Government set up a "Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po" with a start-up capital of $300 million dollars to render assistance to residents of Wang Fuk Court and support all relevant works.
The Support Fund will receive donations from individuals and private organisations. Details of the relevant designated accounts are as follows:
Hong Kong Dollar: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited account number: 012-875-2-190159-7 (Account name: Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po)
Renminbi and other currencies: Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited account number: 012-875-2-190160-7 (Account name: Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po)
The spokesman said, "We would like to express our gratitude to the many charitable organisations and members of the public who are planning to donate supplies to the affected residents and help them through this difficult time. The available supplies for the next few days are sufficient."
To better address the needs of the residents in the next phase, the Government is now co-ordinating with the information technology sector to establish an online platform as soon as possible. This platform will allow relevant organisations and members of the public to register the items they can donate, enabling the Government to better consolidate the information and distribute the supplies to residents in need when necessary. The platform is expected to be completed within the coming days. At this stage, organisations and members of the public can register their details and the supplies they can donate via WhatsApp at 9213 2388, so that the Government can consolidate the information and contact the relevant parties when needed.
Three Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
Three incoming passengers were sentenced to two to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (May 18) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming male passenger, aged 27, at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 21. Customs officers seized about 40 600 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $182,700 and a duty potential of about $134,200, from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested. He was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 today.
Separately, Customs officers intercepted two incoming male passengers, aged 27 and 39, at HKIA on May 16 and seized around 16 500 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $68,000 and a duty potential of about $54,900, as well as around 60 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $271,800 and a duty potential of about $199,700, respectively, from their personal baggage. The two passengers were subsequently arrested. They were respectively sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000, and six months' imprisonment with a fine of $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.
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 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Three Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
