Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled silver worth about $6.1 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 27) detected a suspected smuggling case involving an outgoing cross-boundary private car at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point and seized about 219 kilograms of suspected smuggled silver with an estimated market value of about $6.1 million.
Based on risk assessment, Customs yesterday intercepted an outbound private car at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected smuggled silver was found concealed inside multiple food cans placed in the boot of the vehicle, mingled with other ordinary foodstuffs.
After an investigation, Customs arrested a 46-year-old male driver and a 40-year-old male passenger suspected to be connected with the case. They were charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 29).
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 seizes suspected smuggled silver worth about $6.1 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled silver worth about $6.1 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The President of Legislative Council (LegCo), Dr Starry Lee, as well as members of LegCo Panel on Development and other Members conducted the third visit to the Northern Metropolis (NM) today (September 10) to gain insight into the latest planning and development of the Kwu Tung North (KTN) New Development Area (NDA), the efforts to conserve the ecology of and historic buildings in NM, and the Administration's measures to promote urban-rural integration.
Accompanied by the Secretary for Development, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, Members first observed the construction sites of the public housing estate Kwu Chun Estate, several private housing projects, and the MTR Kwu Tung Station at the newly constructed Road P1 in the KTN NDA. They were also briefed by the Administration on the overall planning and development concepts of the KTN NDA, as well as the latest development progress of housing, transport infrastructure, and the Government joint-user complex and general office building in the district.
Members learnt that Kwu Chun Estate is among the first batch of public rental housing projects in the NDAs of the NM, with phase one comprising about 5 000 units that will be ready for intake in phases starting from the third quarter of this year. The Kwu Tung Station is also expected to commence service in 2027. Members exchanged views with government officials on the construction of community facilities, such as markets, shopping centres, public transport facilities and schools in the NDA, and urged the Administration to ensure that community facilities are in place when residents start to move in to meet the needs of local residents.
Members also visited the Sik Sik Yuen Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre Eco-Learn Institute in Kwu Tung. Built in 1933, the Lady Ho Tung Welfare Centre provided medical services to local villagers until its closure in 2005. The Centre was subsequently accorded Grade II historic building status, and then revitalised into an ecological learning institute in 2023. Members toured the ecology and cultural history exhibition hall and the outdoor areas, which features facilities including an eco-pond and a Chinese medical herbs garden. Members were also briefed by the Administration on policies regarding revitalisation and conservation of historic buildings, as well as the revitalisation and conservation process of the Institute.
Accompanied by the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, Members also visited the Long Valley Nature Park and the nearby Yin Kong Village to learn about the Government's efforts to promote urban-rural integration and ecological conservation in the NM. Members noted that, to promote urban-rural integration in the NM, the Governmentproposed establishing a $200 million "NM Urban-Rural Integration Fund" as a pilot scheme to support non-governmental organisations to take forward urban-rural integration projects, as well as piloting the relaxation of planning restrictions on "Village Type Development" in Yin Kong Village, allowing houses within the village to be converted into restaurants, retail shops or guesthouses, with a view to boosting economic activities in villages and tourism development.
Members welcomed the Administration's implementation of various measures to promote integration of villages and NDAs when planning the NDAs in the NM. They exchanged views with the representatives of the Government on how to assist villagers in retrofitting their houses for engaging in economic activities, as well as the infrastructure upgrading works, such as transport and sewerage, required to cope with the additional economic activities.
A total of 64 Members attended the visit. In addition to members of the Panel on Development, other non-members also attended.
Click here to watch the video highlight of today's visit.
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
LegCo Members visit Kwu Tung North New Development Area in Northern Metropolis Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
