Remarks by S for S at media session on sentencing of Lai Chee-ying's case (with video)
Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, at a media session on the sentencing of Lai Chee-ying's case this afternoon (February 9):
The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, Photo by Bastille Post
Reporter: What's the significance of this case, given that Jimmy Lai's sentencing of 20 years is the longest in all national security cases so far?
Secretary for Security: I think the sentence of a total of 20 years' imprisonment has reflected the grave nature of the case. If you look at the judgment, in fact, for each of the conspiracy to commit collusion offences, the sentence has been increased from 15 years to 18 years with an additional sentence of three years. It is because the court has considered the grave nature of the case. I think the sentence in this case illustrates very clearly that any offence against national security, in particular colluding with foreign forces or external elements, is a very serious offence.
Reporter: I have a follow-up question about what you said on the United Kingdom (UK) situation. As his side or his children had said that Jimmy Lai is only a British citizen, he only holds a British passport, how do you compare that to the version of what you just said? And if the UK asks for a transfer of sentenced persons agreement, how do you think the Government will respond?
Secretary for Security: Lai Chee-ying, according to the law of Hong Kong and the law of China, is a Chinese, and we do not recognise dual nationality. Being a Chinese who committed an offense in Hong Kong, China, he serves his sentence in Hong Kong, China, which is a very logical stance. Thank you.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks)
Apple Daily, Photo source: Sing Tao Daily
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).
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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
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 two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
