Property owner fined over $65,000 for not complying with removal order
An owner was convicted and fined $66,600 in total, of which $61,600 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 22) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts, the Kwun Tong Law Courts Building
The case involved several unauthorised structures and projecting structures with a total area of about 97 square metres, as well as the alteration of the approved roof slab at a house on Hiram's Highway. As the unauthorised building works (UBWs) were carried out without prior approval and consent from the Buildings Department (BD), a removal order was served on the owner under section 24(1) of the BO. Failing to comply with the removal order, the owner was prosecuted by the BD.
A spokesman for the BD said today (September 23), "UBWs may lead to serious consequences. Owners must comply with removal orders without delay. The BD will continue to take stringent enforcement action against owners who fail to comply with removal orders, including instigation of prosecution, to ensure building and public safety."
Failure to comply with a removal order without reasonable excuse is a serious offence under the BO. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $200,000 and one year's imprisonment, and a further fine of up to $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
Source: AI-found images
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks
Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation yesterday (October 15) in Tuen Mun to combat processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks, and seized about 6 800 items of suspected counterfeit hard disks with a total estimated market value of about $50 million. Six persons were arrested.
After an in-depth investigation by Customs officers and with the assistance of trademark owners, Customs took special operation yesterday and raided five industrial units in Tuen Mun. Five men and one woman were arrested, including five Mainland persons and one local person aged between 31 and 59. Large batches of suspected counterfeit hard disks, packaging materials and tools were seized.
In addition, Customs seized approximately 20 000 second-hand hard disks suspected of awaiting processing in the industrial units. It is believed that the arrested persons first purchased large quantities of second-hand hard disks and used items such as adhesive removers to remove the original labels from the second-hand hard disks. They then used specialised hard disk electronic equipment to format the hard disks, and affixed labels of various major brands, sealed them in anti-static bags, and offered them for sale.
The arrested persons have been detained for investigation. The investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Customs will continue to step up inspection and enforcement to vigorously combat the sale of different kinds of counterfeit goods.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who forges a trademark, sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats processing workshops and storages of suspected counterfeit hard disks Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
