FSD, FEHD and BD conduct joint inspection and enforcement operation on licensed food premises
The Fire Services Department (FSD), the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Buildings Department (BD) conducted a joint inspection and enforcement operation targeting licensed premises yesterday (February 11) to inspect the fire safety conditions of a total of 30 food premises in Causeway Bay and Yuen Long, with a view to ensuring public safety.
The Fire Services Department (FSD), Photo source; FB of FSD
During the operation, the FSD personnel identified multiple violations of the Fire Services (Fire Hazard Abatement) Regulation (Cap. 95F), including two cases of obstruction of means of escape, one case of wedged-open smoke stop doors, as well as 11 cases of fire service installations or equipment (FSIs) not being kept in efficient working order due to defects, removal or obstruction. The department took immediate enforcement action and issued 14 Fire Hazard Abatement Notices regarding the irregularities.
The officers of the FEHD issued verbal warnings to seven licensed restaurants, requested them to rectify the situations for failing to meet licensing conditions due to poor hygiene conditions and maintenance of the premises and equipment. The licences will be cancelled if the violations continue. Moreover, the BD has preliminarily identified that the layouts of 14 food premises did not tally with the corresponding licensed plans. The BD, in collaboration with the FEHD (i.e. the licensing authority), is currently conducting further investigations. If any breaches of licensing conditions are established, the FEHD will also take appropriate enforcement action.
Besides enforcement work, the fire personnel also carried out fire prevention publicity and education on common fire hazards and preventive measures for persons-in-charge of the relevant food premises, tenants and property management staff during the operation. The FSD emphasises that licensed premises have a high density of people and thus a relatively high fire risk. Licensees must bear the responsibility for fire safety, ensuring the means of escape are unobstructed, smoke stop doors remain closed at all times, and annual inspections and proper maintenance of FSIs are carried out as required by law. The FSD will continue to ensure the fire safety of licensed premises through interdepartmental collaboration and jointly build a safer community.
Tthe Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image
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
