Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (June 15), and seized a total of about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 5kg of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $2.7 million. Two men were arrested.
In the first case, a 24 year-old non-local male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 4.5kg of suspected cannabis buds camouflaged as snacks concealed in his carry-on backpack and one stick of duty-not-paid cigarette was also found inside his carry-on baggage. The man was then arrested.
In the second case, a 52 year-old non-local male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected ketamine concealed in the false compartments of his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of the two cases are ongoing.
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 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.
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.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (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 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 drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led an industry delegation to participate in the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF). By participating in major film festivals in the Chinese Mainland and organising Hong Kong film screening events, the promotion aimed to enhance the exposure of Hong Kong films and filmmakers in the Chinese Mainland and showcase the latest works of the Hong Kong cinema to a broad audience.
The delegation included the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai; Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries and Secretary-General of the FDC, Mr Gary Mak; the Chairman of FDC, Dr Wilfred Wong; producer Derek Yee, director Keane Wong and actor Stephen Fung of the film "Afterpiece"; director Philip Yung and actor Sean Lau of the film "Papa"; along with a cohort of new-generation directors and actors, collectively demonstrating the robustness and the thriving power of the new blood of the Hong Kong film industry.
Film productions by Hong Kong's emerging filmmakers are attracting significant attention at this year's SIFF. "Afterpiece", funded by the Directors' Succession Scheme under the Film Development Fund (FDF), was selected as the opening film. Furthermore, director Mak Tin-shu was nominated for the Asian New Talent of the Golden Goblet Awards with the film "Dog Day Evening", financed by the Film Production Financing Scheme (Relaxation Plan) (FPRP) under the FDF.
CCIDA and the FDC organised the "Making Waves - Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema" (Making Waves) screening programme during the SIFF, featuring six films directed by emerging Hong Kong directors, including "Afterpiece", "Dog Day Evening", "Bird of Paradise" (a winning film project in the higher education institutiongroup of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative), "Papa" (a film project financed by FPRP), "The Snowball on a Sunny Day" and "Unidentified Murder". The programme aimed to highlight to audiences the diverse charms of Hong Kong cinema through these films.
CCIDA and the FDC hosted "Hong Kong Cinema: A Legacy in Succession" at the SIFFORUM, introducing the different film production financing and funding schemes under the FDF, while inviting Hong Kong veteran and emerging directors for a cross-generational dialogue and in-depth exchange on the development and innovation of the film industry.
In addition, Miss Lai, Mr Mak and Dr Wong met with the Executive Deputy Director-General of the China Film Administration, Mr Mao Yu, and representatives of international film and cultural institutions including Toronto International Film Festival and British Council, to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and overseas film industries. CCIDA and the FDC have long been committed to driving the development and innovation of the Hong Kong film industry, and will continue to provide steadfast support for film production and talent nurturing through various funding schemes, empowering emerging filmmakers to step onto and excel on broader stages.
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong film industry participates in Shanghai International Film Festival to showcase emerging talents Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
