Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (August 17) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $850,000.
A 55-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (August 16). During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his carry-on baggage. He was then arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 18).
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 to 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.
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 today (August 17) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $850,000. Photo shows the arrested person in the case (centre). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs today (August 17) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.85 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Environmental samples from Mai Po Nature Reserve test positive for H5 virus
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) was notified yesterday (November 12) by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) that two environmental samples taken from the Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) had tested positive for the H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.
In collaboration with the AFCD, a research team of the School of Public Health, HKU, regularly collects samples from the MPNR for avian influenza surveillance. Two of the environmental samples collected on November 11 were confirmed to be positive for the H5 virus.
An AFCD spokesman said that the World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong, which assisted the Government in managing the MPNR, has stepped up cleansing and disinfection of tourist facilities, including bird hides and the floating boardwalk. Disinfection mats have been placed at the entrance of the MPNR for visitors to disinfect the soles of their shoes. In addition, the AFCD is closely monitoring the situation of the birds in the MPNR and has put up notices to remind visitors to pay attention to personal hygiene.
There are no chicken farms within three kilometres of where the samples were collected. The AFCD has strengthened avian influenza surveillance and is closely monitoring the situation of the local poultry farms and the wholesale market. Poultry farmers, pet bird shop owners, and licence holders of bird exhibitions are reminded from time to time to ensure that proper precautions against avian influenza are implemented.
"People should avoid contact with wild birds and live poultry as well as their droppings. They should clean their hands thoroughly after coming into contact with them. The public can call 1823 for the AFCD to follow up if they come across suspected sick or dead birds, including the carcasses of wild birds and poultry," the spokesman said.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will maintain vigilance over live poultry stalls. It will also remind stall operators to maintain good hygiene.
The Department of Health will continue its health education to remind members of the public to maintain strict personal and environmental hygiene to prevent avian influenza.
The AFCD, the FEHD, the Customs and Excise Department and the Police will strive to deter the illegal import of poultry and birds into Hong Kong to minimise the risk of avian influenza outbreaks caused by imported poultry and birds that have not gone through inspection and quarantine.
All relevant government departments will continue to be highly vigilant and strictly enforce preventive measures against avian influenza. Health advice about preventing avian influenza is available on the AFCD website at www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_live/H5N1_healthadvice.html.
Source: AI-found images
