Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $0.9 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (February 5) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.9 million, as well as 81 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes.
A 47-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Ko Samui, Thailand, today (February 5). During customs clearance, suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 4.5 kg in total, and 81 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes were found inside his baggage. The male was subsequently arrested.
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 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.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, 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 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/en).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $0.9 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video)
The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, met the media today (April 3), after observing the implementation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" on the first day at Tiu Keng Leng Station Public Transport Interchange. Following are Mr Sun's remarks at the media session:
Reporter: How do you evaluate the first-day roll-out of the scheme, and how do you address the fact that some elderly are not comprehensively understanding the whole implementation?
Secretary for Labour and Welfare: Today, 3rd of April, is the date when the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount" is officially launched. For minibuses and for buses, the launch time was midnight today. For the MTR, it started from its first train which departed the terminal at 5.30am this morning.
So far, based on our territory-wide promotion, and also my own personal contact with the elderly through my visit to Wong Tai Sin including a public market and a restaurant, most of them are familiar with the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". They know the operation is very straightforward, for any fare that is at $10 or below, they still just need to pay $2. For fare that is over $10, the elderly just bare 20 per cent of the cost, and the rest of the fare will be borne by the Government. I gave them an example, for a bus fare that charges an adult for $15, the elderly people with JoyYou card would only have to pay $3, i.e. 20 per cent of the fare.
So, apart from today, we are also going to step up our promotion through television, radio and posters which have been posted all around Hong Kong. Also, as you can see, in 75 spots in Hong Kong, we are stationing the ambassadors for a total of three weeks. They are in the spots to help answer questions about the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". Apart from that, we have had the support of district councillors, Care Team members, and also staff of our welfare NGOs (non-governmental organisations). They are using their own ways to explain the operation of the "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount". We are pretty confident that the scheme is now being launched smoothly, and for those who will be using the new arrangement, they know about the operation.
Thank you very much.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks.)
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Remarks by SLW at media session (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
