Civil Aviation Department Completes Successful Aeronautical Search and Rescue Exercise Near Lantau Island

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) successfully completed a joint short-range Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise today (January 12) in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula, Lantau Island.

The exercise involved eight government departments and one search and rescue unit, namely CAD, the Government Flying Service (GFS), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Fire Services Department (FSD), the Marine Department (MD), the Civil Aid Service, the Auxiliary Medical Service and the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO), and the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (Garrison) respectively.

Today's exercise simulated a helicopter crashing into the sea near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island. With the concerted efforts of helicopters and vessels dispatched by the Garrison, the GFS, the HKPF, and the FSD, all three people on board were rescued. The exercise lasted one hour, mobilising around 100 personnel from the participating units.

A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Department said, "In accordance with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization, CAD regularly organises Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercises to strengthen co-operation and co-ordination among relevant search and rescue units and promote technical exchanges. This is to ensure a rapid and effective response in the event of an emergency."

This Aeronautical Search and Rescue exercise is divided into two parts: a short-range search and rescue exercise conducted today in the waters near Mong Tung Wan on Lantau Island; and a long-range search and rescue exercise to be conducted tomorrow (January 13) in the South China Sea, approximately 50 nautical miles south of Hong Kong. CAD, together with the GFS, the MD, the Garrison, the Nanhai Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport of the People's Republic of China, and the Guangdong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, will jointly deploy fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters and ships to conduct the search and rescue tasks. The entire long-range exercise is expected to be completed in around three hours.

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CAD search and rescue exercise strengthens collaboration and responsiveness Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 3) detected a drug trafficking case involving two passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine, with an estimated market value of about $1 million. Two males were arrested.

Two male passengers aged 52 and 24 arrived in Hong Kong from Penang, Malaysia, yesterday. Customs officers intercepted the two men and found the batch of suspected cocaine in one of their carry-on baggage. The duo was subsequently arrested.

An investigation is ongoing.

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 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 drug trafficking case involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases