Hong Kong Customs detects smuggling case involving cross-boundary goods vehicle with goods worth about $10 million
Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary goods vehicle on June 4. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $10 million were seized. A 39-year-old male driver in involved in the case was arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, a cross-boundary goods vehicle departing from Hong Kong for Macao was selected for inspection on June 4. Upon examination, Customs officers found a large batch of suspected smuggled goods, including suspected pharmaceutical products, weight loss injection products, cosmetic injection products and fish maws.
Being a government department primarily responsible for tackling smuggling activities, Customs has long been combating various smuggling activities on all fronts. Customs will keep up its enforcement action and continue to resolutely combat sea smuggling activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, and carry out targeted anti-smuggling operations at suitable times to crack down on relevant crimes.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 detected a suspected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary goods vehicle on June 4. Large batches of suspected smuggled goods with a total estimated market value of about $10 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected smuggled goods seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Police launch new features on "eTraffic Ticket Platform"
The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) launched a series of new features today (June 15) on the "e-Traffic Ticket Platform" ("eTTP") (www.etrafficticket.gov.hk) to facilitate members of the public and the transport sector in handling matters related to electronic traffic fixed penalty notices (FPNs).
The digitalisation of traffic FPNs and the "eTTP" have been operating smoothly since their launch in the middle of last year. To meet the fleet management needs of the transport sector and further facilitate the handling of FPNs against illegal parking by the public, the Police have enhanced the platform system and introduced the following four new features:
(1) Introducing multiple roles
The "eTTP" has introduced multiple roles, such as "Agent", "Agency Company" and "Designated Employee" to facilitate fleet management. Registered vehicle owners or corporate account holders can authorise designated agents or employees to handle FPNs against illegal parking for vehicles under their management, enabling more effective monitoring of the FPN status of the relevant vehicles.
(2) "Vehicle-specific QR Code"
"Vehicle-specific QR Codes" can be generated for download on the "eTTP". Upon scanning the relevant QR code via the "eTTP""s mobile application, on-duty drivers can record their driving hours. If an FPN against illegal parking is issued during that period, the on-duty drivers will receive a push notification from the application, allowing them to view the details and settle fines directly.
This new feature has been integrated with the "HKeToll Commercial Vehicle Driver" mobile application QR code, which was designed by the Transport Department for taxis. By simply scanning the "Vehicle-specific QR code", on-duty drivers can activate both systems simultaneously.
(3) Application for viewing illegal parking photos
Members of the public may apply through the "eTTP" to view photos taken by police officers during the issuance of the FPNs against illegal parking.
(4) Disputing all types of traffic FPNs through the "eTTP"
In addition to existing channels, members of the public can dispute all types of traffic FPNs directly through the "eTTP" and upload supporting documents based on the circumstances of their case. As legal proceedings are involved, identity authentication and digital signing via "iAM Smart+" are required.
To allow sufficient time for members of the public to adapt to the digitalisation of traffic FPNs, the HKPF will continue to maintain the "dual track transitional arrangement" for the time being by issuing both electronic and paper FPNs simultaneously. The HKPF will monitor the implementation status to determine a timetable for full implementation of digitalisation.
The HKPF will also continue to identify and introduce more citizen-centric features to the "eTTP". For more information and relevant user guides of the new features, please visit the dedicated website of the "eTTP" or call the hotline at 181 181.
The HKPF appeals to the public with the following anti-deception tips:
All traffic FPN SMS messages are issued under the SMS sender name "#HKPF-eTT"; any of those issued from other sender names are fraudulent;
All traffic FPN SMS messages or emails do not contain any hyperlinks. Members of the public should stay vigilant and avoid clicking on any suspicious hyperlinks or providing any personal information; and
The thematic portal of the "eTTP" has a domain ending with ".gov.hk". Websites that do not end with ".gov.hk" are not government websites.
Police launch new features on "eTraffic Ticket Platform" Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
