ExCo Members Back Court's Sentencing in Lai Chee-ying Case, Highlighting National Security Importance

Statement by ExCo Non-official Members

The following is issued on behalf of the Executive Council Secretariat:

Non-official Members of the Executive Council (ExCo Non-official Members) today (February 9) issued the following statement:

The Court of First Instance of the High Court today passed sentences in the Lai Chee-ying case. ExCo Non-official Members stated that Lai Chee-ying and the other defendants in the case endangered national security and undermined social stability, which are serious offences. The court's convictions and the sentences imposed on the defendants have demonstrated the justice of the law, with the court's judgment based strictly on the law and evidence, free from any interference.

ExCo Non-official Members emphasised that the court had conducted an open and fair trial of the Lai Chee-ying case in accordance with the law. Anyone who violates the law must be held accountable, and any actions endangering national security must be severely punished by the law. No one can escape justice. The court's convictions and the severe sentences imposed on the defendants represent a crucial manifestation of resolutely safeguarding national security, implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law and upholding the rule of law. This is of significant importance in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for acts and activities endangering national security, fully reflecting the steadfast and successful implementation of the "one country, two systems" principle.

ExCo Non-official Members will continue to fully support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in resolutely, fully and faithfully implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law, the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, and other relevant laws safeguarding national security in the HKSAR, while also upholding the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents in accordance with the law.

ExCo Non-official Members emphasised that the court had conducted an open and fair trial of the Lai Chee-ying case in accordance with the law. Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.9 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 8) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 9 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.9 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

One female passenger and one male passenger, both aged 19, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside their baggage. The duo was subsequently arrested.

The two arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 10).

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/en).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $1.9 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases