Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled live turtles and turtle eggs
Hong Kong Customs on July 14 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 216 live turtles and two turtle eggs with an estimated market value of about $21,800.
Through risk assessment, Customs that day intercepted an outgoing private car at the control point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of live turtles and turtle eggs in the boot of the vehicle. A 52-year-old local male driver was arrested and has been released on bail pending investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
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.
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 on July 14 detected a smuggling case involving a cross-boundary private car at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and seized 216 live turtles and two turtle eggs with an estimated market value of about $21,800. Photo shows the suspected smuggled live turtles and turtle eggs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 28) held the opening ceremony of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre, marking the official reopening and full resumption of operation of the cooked food centre after enhancements.
Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Albert Yuen, said that the stall enhancement works of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre is a project under the Market Modernisation Programme to enhance the facilities and operating environment of the cooked food centre, thereby providing patrons with a more pleasant dining environment. He added that public-market policy needs to keep pace with the times and meet the needs of the community. The way forward for the Market Modernisation Programme focuses on stall enhancement works, whereas upgrading hardware in a more cost-effective manner is one of the key directions.
After the opening ceremony, Mr Yuen and other officiating and attending guests toured the cooked food centre, and talked to stall tenants to learn about the operating conditions of the enhanced cooked food centre. The stall tenants expected that the enhanced facilities and environment of the cooked food centre can enhance the comfort of diners and drive business growth.
The stall enhancement project of the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre commenced last August. With the endeavours of the FEHD and the Architectural Services Department, the cooked food centre resumed full operation at the end of June upon completion of the works. Featuring six cooked food stalls and providing more than 180 seats for the public, the dining area and stall portals of the cooked food centre have been beautified. The ceiling and floor tiles have been replaced and the dining furniture has also been reconfigured to create a bright, clean and unified style. In addition, electronic display panels have been installed, and fixed dining tables and mobile seats have been reconfigured to better meet the needs of diners. As for the design, district characteristics of Aberdeen have been integrated, with a feature wall inspired by the ocean and waves installed at the dining area, and fishing vessel-modelled decorations featured on both sides of the escalators. Moreover, the electrical and mechanical equipment and building services installations of the cooked food centre have been renewed, the restrooms have been renovated and the main entrances of the market building have also been beautified to offer members of the public a new upgraded experience when visiting the Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre.
Other officiating guests at the opening ceremonyincluded the Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Ms Chan Hoi-yan; the Deputy Chairman of the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene of the Legislative Council, Mr Yang Wing-kit; and Legislative Council Members Ms Judy Chan, Mr Chan Hok-fung and Mr Jonathan Leung. They were joined by other attending guests including Southern District Council members and representatives from government departments.
The FEHD will continue to advance other market development projects to keep public markets abreast with the times to meet public needs.
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Opening ceremony of Ap Lei Chau Market Cooked Food Centre held today Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
