Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (June 5) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted a 35-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (June 4) and seized about 15 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $63,000 and a duty potential of about $50,900 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
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 importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD investigates malicious act undermining environmental hygiene
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (June 5) that the department is investigating a suspected incident of malicious damage to environmental hygiene in Mong Kok District last month. The person involved has been arrested.
Last month, media reported rubbish scattered on the ground near a litter container in Mong Kok, with rodents feeding on the refuse. Following investigation, the FEHD found that the rubbish had been deliberately poured off from the litter container by a suspect, who also interfered with the rodent trapping device set up by the department. With the assistance of the Police, the man involved has been arrested.
The spokesman said that the FEHD condemns acts that maliciously undermine environmental hygiene. The department will conduct further investigation and will initiate prosecution if sufficient evidence is available.
According to the Public Cleansing and Prevention of Nuisances Regulation (Cap. 132BK), raking waste is an offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of $5,000 on first conviction, and $10,000 on subsequent convictions. Under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), interfering with equipment used by the FEHD for destroying and removing vermin is also an offence. Offenders are liable to a fine of $5,000.
The spokesman said that the department has also stepped up enforcement in Mong Kok against illegal acts such as illegal refuse disposal, including surprise operations conducted during early morning and evening hours. In May alone, the FEHD issued 160 fixed penalty notices to offenders pursuant to the Fixed Penalty (Public Cleanliness and Obstruction) Ordinance (Cap. 570) in Mong Kok. At the same time, the FEHD has strengthened cleaning and rodent control work in rear lanes across Mong Kok. The department will continue to closely monitor the hygiene conditions in the area and take appropriate action as necessary.
Source: AI-found images
