Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to eight weeks' imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (December 29) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an 83-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on December 23, and seized 400 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1,600 and a duty potential of about $1,300 from the inner pockets of a vest worn by him. He was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra to present Chinese musical treasures
The Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO) of the Music Office under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will hold its annual concert, "The Prosperous Times", at 3pm on January 4 (Sunday) next year at the Concert Hall of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, with a guest performance by the Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra, which is affiliated with the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, to present magnificent pieces to the audience.
The concert will be under the baton of Music Office Instructor Kwok Kin-ming and the Resident Conductor of the Hong Kong Young Chinese Orchestra, Woo Pak-tuen. The concert programme features the majestic dizi concerto "The Song of Flight" jointly presented by the HKYCO and its dizi principal Luk Tsun-ki, followed by the passionate "Lantern Festival" and energetic "Eager to Fly". Also, the two orchestras will join forces to present "The Sisters' Islands", a piece inspired by a mythological legend. The concert will culminate in the world premiere of Xu Xinchi's Symphony No. 1 "The Prosperous Times", commissioned by the Music Office, leading the audience to experience the resplendent beauty of Chinese culture.
Established in 1978, the HKYCO has around 90 members aged 25 and below. The HKYCO frequently performs at various major local events. It also plays the role of a music ambassador for Hong Kong and has toured the Mainland and overseas for music exchange concerts, where it has received high acclaim.
Tickets priced at $80, $100 and $130 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288. For programme enquiries, please call 2796 7523 or 3842 7784 or visit www.lcsd.gov.hk/musicoffice.
The concert is also one of the activities in the Chinese Culture Promotion Series. The LCSD has long been promoting Chinese history and culture through organising an array of programmes and activities to enable the public to learn more about the broad and profound Chinese culture. For more information, please visit www.ccpo.gov.hk/en.
The Hong Kong Youth Chinese Orchestra (HKYCO), Photo source: reference image
