Hong Kong Police Conduct Major Security Exercise Ahead of 94th INTERPOL General Assembly in November

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly

To ensure the smooth staging of the 94th INTERPOL General Assembly,scheduled to be held in Hong Kong in late November this year, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), in collaboration with various government departments and relevant organisations, successfully conducted a comprehensive inter-departmental exercise last night (September 23), at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), Victoria Harbour and the West Kowloon area.

The exercise featured on-site rehearsals of the opening and closing ceremonies, and drills covering a wide range of measures and arrangements for the conference. These included security and traffic coordination for VIP attendance, simulated crowd flow management for approximately 1 000 delegates within the venue and their movement between the main and side event venues, coordinated operations at the venue command centre and stress tests of the wireless network. Through this comprehensive exercise, the Police aimed to ensure that all aspects of the General Assembly would be seamlessly coordinated, and conducted in a safe and orderly manner, showcasing Hong Kong's capability and determination to host major international events.

The exercise also simulated a suspected biochemical terrorist attack in which an unattended backpack suddenly released an unknown gas during a cocktail reception, causing a number of people to feel unwell. Concurrently, other emergencies unfolded near the venue, prompting various departments and organisations to swiftly activate their emergency response mechanisms. The exercise comprehensively tested the coordination capabilities of relevant stakeholders in key operational areas, including immediate tactical intervention, emergency response, decontamination and triage of casualties, and the handling of suspicious objects as well as affected persons. By refining contingency protocols, the exercise further strengthened inter-departmental counter-terrorism preparedness and incident response capabilities.

The exercise mobilised about 3 000 personnel from various government departments and relevant organisations, including the HKPF, the Fire Services Department, the Hospital Authority, the HKCEC (Management) Limited, and the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. The Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, observed the exercise on site. Following the exercise, Mr Tang commended all participating units for their professional performance, coordination and cooperation.

Earlier this year, the Central Government has established the CPG Steering Committee for the 94th General Assembly, comprising a secretariat and various working groups, to comprehensively oversee all preparatory work for the General Assembly. The HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the organisation of the conference and has established a three-tier command and coordination structure, which comprises the HKSAR Steering Committee chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration, an Inter-departmental Task Force led by the Secretary for Security, and the Force Working Group headed by the Commissioner of Police. Since the commencement of preparatory work, under the guidance and support of the CPG Steering Committee, all relevant departments of the HKSAR Government have spared no effort to implement various event arrangements and security measures in preparation for hosting this major international event.

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Police conduct inter-departmental exercise to prepare for 94th INTERPOL General Assembly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to two months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 24) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 44-year-old Mainland female passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (September 23) and seized 9 437 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $42,000 and a duty potential of about $31,000, from her personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases