EPD Tackles Illegal Waste Disposal on Yick Yuen Road with Smart Enforcement and Collaborations

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 14) said that, through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration, it has successfully tackled an illegal waste disposal blackspot on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun, significantly improving environmental and hygienic conditions. Over 50 prosecutions were instituted during the operation.

Yick Yuen Road in Tuen Mun is situated in a remote rural area, surrounded by villages and brownfields. Following the commencement of the Hung Shui Kiu/Ha Tsuen New Development Area project, residents in the vicinity of Yick Yuen Road had gradually relocated. The EPD had identified illegal waste disposal at a concealed and remote roadside spot on Yick Yuen Road since mid-last year. The situation has grown increasingly severe, adversely affecting environmental hygiene.

The EPD promptly co-ordinated with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Highways Department, the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Lands Department to jointly work out an action plan. A series of interdepartmental collaborative measures were implemented, including setting up a smart surveillance system to detect illegal activities, swiftly clearing waste to prevent the deterioration of hygiene conditions, as well as placing concrete barriers and warning signage to deter further violations. During the initial phase of the operation (from June to August 2025), the EPD utilised the smart surveillance system to quickly identify vehicles transporting waste for illegal disposal at the site and prosecuted the registered owners of the relevant vehicles. Among these, several small-scale works or transport companies were found to be involved in repeated illegal dumping of large quantities of waste and demolition materials. These prompt prosecutions had a significant deterrent effect, resulting in a substantial reduction in violations in the subsequent months.

An EPD spokesman said, "The department has been concerned about the rural areas of the New Territories, especially some public places such as remote roadsides or laybys, which are easily becoming illegal waste disposal sites. The waste deposited at this site, including some large-sized commercial and industrial (C&I) waste, not only created obstruction to pathways but also caused environmental hygiene problems. The EPD will continue to combine technology-driven enforcement with interdepartmental collaboration in its commitment to improving the living environment."

The spokesman appealed to all sectors, especially members of the logistics and construction industries, to properly dispose of waste in accordance with the laws. The logistics sector and the C&I sector may contact recyclers to collect C&I waste with reusable or recycling value, while non-recyclable waste should be delivered to refuse transfer stations or landfills.

According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Chapter 132BK), it is an offence to dispose of waste on streets or in public places from vehicles, including goods vehicles, private cars and motorcycles. The registered vehicle owners concerned may be prosecuted. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and six months' imprisonment.

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Blackspot for illegal waste disposal on Yick Yuen Road, Tuen Mun successfully tackled through smart enforcement and interdepartmental collaboration Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 9) detected a drug trafficking case involving passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.25 kilograms of suspected heroin, four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value of about $1.4 million. A man was arrested.

A 61-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 2.25 kg of suspected heroin in his check-in suitcase, and four tablets of suspected Viagra and 26 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of Part 1 poison, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 11).

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.

Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

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 incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases