Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seizes suspected etomidate worth about $42 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) shut down a suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seized over 3 000 suspected etomidate capsules, about 13.4 kilograms of suspected liquid etomidate, about 3kg of suspected etomidate powder, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in Kam Tin. A local man was arrested and the total estimated market value of the suspected etomidate amounted to about $42 million.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Kam Tin yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a 61-year-old local man and escorted him to a village house unit nearby for a search. Customs officers seized the batch of suspected etomidate and suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in the unit. The man was arrested subsequently.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of manufacture of a dangerous drug and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Tuen Mum Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 3).
According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. 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 shuts down suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seizes suspected etomidate worth about $42 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seizes suspected etomidate worth about $42 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings
The Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise (Intelligence and Investigation), Mr Wong Ho-yin, witnessed by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with PDD Holdings today (September 2) at the Customs Headquarters Building to establish a closer co-operative relationship.
At the signing ceremony, Mr Chan said that the National 15th Five-Year Plan supports the development of new forms and models of business, including cross-boundary e-commerce, and promotes regulatory innovation in customs clearance. The signing of the MOU with PDD Holdings is an important step in this direction to strengthen co-operation between the Government and the cross-boundary e-commerce platform. Both sides will establish a closer communication and collaboration mechanism, strengthen compliance promotion, and assist the platform and its merchants in understanding Hong Kong's relevant legislation and import control requirements, with a view to preventing prohibited items from entering Hong Kong through online shopping channels, thereby providing more comprehensive protection for consumers.
The Senior Vice President of PDD Holdings, Mr Liao Yongdi, said that the group attached great importance to compliant development in cross-boundary e-commerce. The group would leverage technologies, including big data and AI, to strengthen management of goods, merchants and transaction processes, with a view to reducing compliance risks. He added that PDD Holdings looked forward to establishing a long-term communication mechanism with Hong Kong Customs to enhance collaboration and follow up on relevant matters in a timely manner, thereby providing Hong Kong consumers with a safer and more reliable online shopping experience.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to uphold the department's duties and mission of safeguarding the country's gateway and fostering development, deepen collaboration with the trade, and facilitate legitimate trade.
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU with PDD Holdings Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
