Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 25) 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 51-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (September 24) and seized about 9 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $42,300 and a duty potential of about $31,000, from his 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 imports, 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).
An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 25) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance. Photo shows the duty-not-paid cigarettes seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Extension of opening hours and special traffic arrangements of FEHD's columbaria during Chung Yeung Festival
A spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 25) saidthat the opening hours of columbaria under the FEHD will be extended to 7am to 7pm during the Chung Yeung Festival period (i.e. from September 26 to November 1) for the convenience of grave sweepers and to alleviate crowd conditions. The department appealed to grave sweepers to avoid grave-sweeping activities during the peak period on the day of the Chung Yeung Festival (October 18) and pay tribute to ancestors over a wider period before and after the festival.
The spokesman reminded grave sweepers to pay attention to the special traffic and transport arrangements that will be implemented during the Chung Yeung Festival. Except for vehicles with permission, all vehicles are prohibited from entering the FEHD cemeteries and columbaria when the special traffic and transport arrangements are in effect. For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements in the vicinity of cemeteries and columbaria, please visit the Transport Department website (www.td.gov.hk). In addition, the escalator adjacent to the Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium has been opened for public access.
The FEHD expects that there will be a large number of visitors burning paper offerings in joss paper burners (JPBs) at the Tsang Tsui Columbarium and Cape Collinson-San Ha Columbarium during the peak sweeping period of the Chung Yeung Festival. No walk-in queuing for the JPBs will be allowed at both columbaria on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays during the above-mentioned Chung Yeung Festival period. Members of the public are required to make bookings via the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/cc/notice.html) or obtain queue tickets in the columbaria. For details of the JPB arrangements, please visit the FEHD website.
The FEHD reminds the public that the Shek Mun Columbarium and Garden of Remembrance in Sha Tin implements a "smoke-free worship" environment. Burning of joss sticks and paper offerings is strictly prohibited throughout the premises, and no related facilities are provided. The public is encouraged to pay tribute with fresh flowers instead of traditional offerings to help preserve the peaceful and dignified atmosphere of the site.
Green burial allows the environment to thrive and love to endure. Members of the public can register their wishes for a green burial through the Green Burial Central Register (www.greenburial.gov.hk). The registration is simple and free of charge. Members of the public can also pay tribute to their loved ones through the Internet Memorial Service webpage (www.memorial.gov.hk) and its mobile application. During the Chung Yeung Festival, a "Green Burial, Love Living On" exhibition will be held on the G/F of the Tsang Tsui Columbarium. All are welcome to visit free of charge. Throughout the exhibition period, a food kiosk will be set up to provide food and beverages for sale.
To further promote green burial and encourage the public to plan ahead for their after-death arrangements, the FEHD will organise a "School of Life - Interactive Exhibition" from October 16 to 19 at Main Atrium, 1/F, Phase 1, Tuen Mun Town Plaza. The event will feature a variety of experiential activities, along with booths set up by multiple service organisations to introduce enhanced services on life arrangements and green burial. On-site registration for the Green Burial Central Register and free registration on guided tour to Garden of Remembrance will be available. Admission is free, and all interested individuals are welcome to participate.
Source: AI-found images
