Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming female passenger was sentenced to four months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (April 17) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted an incoming 40-year-old female passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point on January 22 and seized 9 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $37,000 and a duty potential of about $30,000 from her personal baggage. The female passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.
Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, 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 illicit cigarette 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).
Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD cracks down on illegal slaughtering activities in Yuen Long District
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has long been committed to combating the illegal slaughtering of food animals and the sale of prohibited food. The FEHD conducted a blitz operation with the Police yesterday (April 16) and successfully cracked down on illegal goat slaughtering activities and the sale of prohibited food in a goat farm in Kam Tin, Yuen Long District. A man was arrested.
During the operation, FEHD officers seized and immediately destroyed approximately 7.4 kilograms of suspected illegally slaughtered goat meat and offal at the location. Meanwhile, a set of slaughtering tools was seized.
A 67-year-old Chinese man was arrested on suspicion of operating an unlicensed slaughterhouse, illegally slaughtering food animals and selling prohibited food. The man has been charged with the relevant offences.
A spokesman for the FEHD said, "Under the Slaughterhouses Regulation (Cap. 132BU), any person operating an unlicensed slaughterhouse, illegally slaughtering food animals or selling prohibited food commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and six months' imprisonment. The FEHD will actively handle complaints received and proactively investigate suspected violations from time to time. If any abnormal circumstances are found, the FEHD will immediately conduct investigations and take surprise inspections and enforcement actions. If there is sufficient evidence, prosecution will be instituted."
The spokesman emphasised the FEHD's deep concern and strong commitment to combating the illegal slaughtering of food animals and the sale of prohibited food through stringent enforcement actions against violations.
The spokesman reminded the public that uninspected meat may carry risks such as viruses and parasites, posing a serious threat to health. Members of the public are urged not to purchase meat of unknown origin. Anyone who discovers suspected illegal slaughtering activities or has doubts about the origin of meat being sold by retailers can report it by calling 1823.
FEHD cracks down on illegal slaughtering activities in Yuen Long District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD cracks down on illegal slaughtering activities in Yuen Long District Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
