Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 25) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 38 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about 15 million. Three persons were arrested.
In the first case, a 51-year-old local woman and a 26-year-old local man, arrived in Hong Kong from Rome, Italy yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected ketamine weighing about 36 kg inside their check-in suitcases. The two persons were subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 40-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 2 kg of suspected ketamine inside the false compartment of his checked-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The two arrested persons in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drug, while the arrested man in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 27).
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 also 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 yesterday (August 25) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 38 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about 15 million. Three persons were arrested. Photo shows the arrested person in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 25) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 38 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about 15 million. Three persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 25) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 38 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about 15 million. Three persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH clarifies COVID-19 vaccination arrangements
In response to comments from a medical organisation about a lack of stock of COVID-19 vaccines and concerns about low COVID-19 vaccination rates, as well as related media enquiries, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (November 11) issued the following clarification:
Scientific evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines are effective in reducing the risk of severe disease and death. Following the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases and the Scientific Committee on Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases(Joint Scientific Committee) under the CHP, the CHP has continuously encouraged the public to receive the vaccine at appropriate times to minimise the risk of severe disease and death after being infected by COVID-19. Thanks to the government's and relevant sectors' continuous efforts to promote vaccination, the uptake rate of the initial doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Hong Kong exceeds 90 per cent, which is considered high internationally.
Regarding COVID-19 booster vaccination, the Joint Scientific Committee recommended them only for high-risk priority groups. Besides, one must receive a vaccine booster at least 180 days after their last dose or COVID-19 infection (whichever is later). Therefore, the vaccination rate is expected to be relatively low. Due to reinfection or vaccination, many people infected with COVID-19 experience milder symptoms and chose not to seek medical care. The Government faces limitations in collecting and reviewing the latest infection figures. As a result, the actual vaccination rates for high-risk priority groups cannot be accurately determined.
The CHP previously announced that the shelf life of the LP.8.1 vaccine for children and adults would expire in mid-July and early September of this year respectively, and that the production and shipment of COVID-19 vaccines containing new ingredients would take time. Starting October 29, the CHP has been providing the Spikevax XFG mRNA vaccine to childrenaged 6 months to 11 years. The first shipment of the new batch of Spikevax XFG vaccine for individuals aged 12 or above is expected to arrive in Hong Kong next month (December). By then, market supply will resume and private doctors will be able to order from pharmaceutical companies as usual. During this transitional period while awaiting vaccine production and delivery, the absence of COVID-19 vaccinations for adults is normal and temporary.
Regarding COVID-19 vaccination venues, the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently in use require complex cold-chain handling and have a limited shelf life after thawing. To provide convenience to the public, minimise vaccine wastage and ensure vaccine efficacy, the Government has set up a total of 75 COVID-19 vaccination venues across Hong Kong, including Specialist Out-patient Clinics (SOPCs) and Family Medicine Clinics (FMCs) in public hospitals, private clinics, Maternal and Child Health Centres, etc. Given that patients co-infected with seasonal influenza and COVID-19 are at a higher risk of severe complications and death, the CHP all along recommends that priority groups receive both seasonal influenza vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination booster to reduce the risk of serious illness and death.Eligible persons can receive both COVID-19 and influenza vaccinations at all current COVID-19 vaccination venues, including SOPCs and FMCs of the concerned public hospitals, as well as private clinics. Therefore, the CHP considers that there is currently no need to further expand the number of COVID-19 vaccination venues.
According to a survey conducted by the medical organisation concerned, nearly 40 per cent of the doctors surveyed do not proactively remind patients to receive COVID-19 vaccination. The CHP expressed concern about this and urged healthcare professionals to proactively remind patients of the importance of receiving COVID-19 vaccination in a timely manner. Even if their clinics do not provide vaccination services, healthcare professionals can still provide patients with information about the Government's COVID-19 Vaccination Programme to help safeguard public health.
The CHP will continue to strengthen publicity and education efforts through various online and offline channels to encourage priority groups to receive COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible once the COVID-19 vaccines for persons aged 12 or above is available.
For more information about the COVID-19 Vaccination Programme, please visit the CHP's website.
Source: AI-found images
