Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre
Hong Kong Customs detected a trafficking case involving air cargo and a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and shut down a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre in Tai Po, seizing a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660 grams of suspected liquid etomidate, 8g of suspected cannabis oil and 1.7kg of suspected heroin, with a total estimated market value of about $8.9 million. Three males were arrested.
In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on December 4 inspected an air parcel, arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium declared as carrying an office display product, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, about 15kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $6.1 million, was found concealed inside the parcel.
After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (December 11) and arrested two male consignees, aged 46 and 29, in Sha Tin and Tai Po respectively. Customs officers then escorted the 29-year-old arrested man to his premises in Tai Po for a search and further seized about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660g of suspected liquid etomidate and 8g of suspected cannabis oil, with a total estimated market value of about $2.1 million.
The second case involved a 25-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (December 12). During customs clearance, Customs officers found 1.7 kg of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $680,000, concealed in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The investigation of the first case is ongoing. The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 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 and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva
The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) achieved outstanding results at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, winning a total of 10 awards, including four top accolades of gold medals with the congratulations of jury, two gold medals, three silver medals and a bronze medal.
The Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, today (March 15) was encouraged by the department's remarkable achievements at the Exhibition this year. He said, "The department has been actively engaging in research and development and applying innovative technologies to enhance work efficiency and quality, as well as improving site safety. This achievement affirms the professionalism and innovative spirit of our colleagues."
In the field of disaster prevention, the in-house team of the CEDD developed the fifth-generation AI Landslip Warning System, applying artificial intelligence and big data technology to analyse the rainfall and landslide data in Hong Kong. This significantly improves the accuracy of risk assessment and issuance of warning signals. In addition, the department also developed a number of intelligent safety management systems, including the occupational health and safety management and monitoring system for confined spaces that can achieve instant alerts and closed-loop management; the CANOPUS - Smart Safety Harness monitoring system focusing on safety for working-at-height which can ensure that safety harnesses are securely attached; and the pioneering multi-channel certification mechanism that can enable real-time tracking and predictive alerts of personnel and equipment. The above inventions all received the gold medals with the congratulations of jury at this Exhibition.
The awarded projects by the CEDD are:
Gold medals with the congratulations of jury
• AI Landslip Warning System
• Intelligent occupational health and safety management and monitoring system for confined spaces
• CANOPUS - Smart Safety Harness
• Personnel real-name system and equipment tracking intelligent software
Gold medals
• SmartAERO - Smart Drone Management Platform (jointly developed with the Development Bureau)
• IntelliGuard OS
Silver medals
• CEDD AI Assistant
• Heavy machinery and hazardous area monitoring system
• TAMAGO - Smart Falsework Monitoring System
Bronze medal
• Electronic lock and work permit system for hazardous areas
The International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva is an annual grand event in the global invention community. This year, the Exhibition was held from March 11 to 15 in Geneva, Switzerland, showcasing about 1 000 inventions from 35 countries and regions, which were evaluated by the international jury of specialists.
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CEDD achieves four top accolades of gold medals with congratulations of jury at International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
