Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $5.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drugs case yesterday (July 21) and seized a total of about 28.6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine, and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
Hong Kong Customs and Mainland departments on narcotics control and anti-smuggling carried out an intelligence exchange and intercepted a consignment, which was declared as tea, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand via the Mainland on July 20. The batch of suspected cannabis buds was found inside the consignment after inspection. Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested two local men aged 32 and 37 in Sheung Shui yesterday. About 1g of suspected crack cocaine and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine were also found in a private vehicle of one of the arrestees.
The arrestees have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and one of them has been further charged with one count of possession of a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 23).
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 detected a dangerous drugs case yesterday (July 21) and seized a total of about 28.6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine, and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested. Photo shows the suspected crack cocaine and suspected methamphetamine seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drugs case yesterday (July 21) and seized a total of about 28.6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 1 gram of suspected crack cocaine, and about 3g of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
TD approves expansion of autonomous vehicles trial in North Lantau and commencement of driverless trial on Airport Island (with photos/video)
The Transport Department (TD) announced today (July 23) that a pilot licence for autonomous vehicles (AVs) has been updated in accordance with section 20(3)(b) of the Road Traffic (Autonomous Vehicles) Regulation (Cap. 374AA) to further expand the AV trial in North Lantau, including commencing a driverless trial on Airport Island.
In February, the TD approved AVs on Airport Island trial routes to be monitoredby operators in the remote control centre, in addition to the in-vehicle backup operators. The trials of remote operation to date have met the requirements regarding safety, stability, accuracy and smoothness. Upon examining the test reports and conducting multiple site inspections, the TD is satisfied with the safety performance of AVs, with no abnormalities detected so far. While ensuring road safety, the TD has approved the driverless tests to commence on Airport Island with no in-vehicle backup operators. In addition, for the Tung Chung and Sunny Bay trial, remote backup operators will be introduced on top of in-vehicle backup operators to test remote operations.
The Commissioner for Transport, Miss Winnie Tse, said, "The launch of fully remote testing for Hong Kong's first AV pilot licence trial has achieved the driverless operations. This marks an important step toward realising the goals of driverless, scaled-up and commercialised AV operations as set out in the Policy Address and the Transport Strategy Blueprint, as well as achieving a milestone in accelerating the introduction of autonomous driving locally. I will continue to lead the Autonomous Vehicle Applications Promotion Working Group, working with its members from the industry and different departments, to monitor the progress of various trials and provide the necessary support and co-ordination, promoting the safe development of AVs in a proactive and orderly manner."
The updated details of the pilot licence have been uploaded to the TD's website on AV trials. The TD's pilot AV labels must be displayed on all pilot AVs for identification by other road users. To facilitate easier identification of AVs undergoing driverless trials by drivers and pedestrians, additional labels (see attachment)will be put up on the vehicle body to indicate that a fully driverless test of an AV is in progress.
The TD welcomes interested organisations or enterprises to submit applications for a pilot licence for AVs. Upon receipt of an application, the TD will consider various factors, including the operational design domain and functions of the autonomous driving system, relevant national or international standards/guidelines, and the road testing conditions, based on the Code of Practice for Trial and Pilot Use of Autonomous Vehicles, before approval.
TD approves expansion of autonomous vehicles trial in North Lantau and commencement of driverless trial on Airport Island (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
TD approves expansion of autonomous vehicles trial in North Lantau and commencement of driverless trial on Airport Island (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
