Property owner fined over $70,000 for not complying with removal order
An owner was convicted and fined $76,000 in total, of which $26,000 was the fine for the number of days that the offence continued, at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts last Friday (October 9) for failing to comply with a removal order issued under the Buildings Ordinance (BO) (Cap. 123).
The case involved unauthorised building works (UBWs) of a detached house on Yu Chui Street, Tuen Mun, comprising several unauthorised structures with a total area of about 93 square metres at the premises and onto the adjoining land under a short-term tenancy, retractable awnings, alteration of protective barrier, metal parapet and fence wall. As the 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 (October 12), "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 detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport (2)
Hong Kong Customs today (October 11) detected one drug trafficking case involving an incoming air passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million. One female was arrested.
A 28-year-old Malaysian female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, via Taipei, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 15 kg of suspected ketamine concealed in coffee powder packages inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.
Investigation of the case is ongoing.
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.
Customs will 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 detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
