â€‹Hong Kong Customs seized about 5 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $3.7 million at Hong Kong International Airport on June 11. 

     Customs officers inspected a parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Malaysia on June 11 and found five packages of suspected ketamine concealed inside two carton boxes containing one inflatable pool and one inflatable boat in the parcel. 

     Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (June 12) arrested a 23-year-old man in Sha Tin suspected to be connected with the case.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels or express courier channels.

     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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Home Affairs Department appeals to registered electors of the Ma Wat Tsuen Indigenous Inhabitant Representative Election to exercise their right to vote in the Rural By-election to be held this Sunday (June 16).

     Twenty-eight Rural Representative vacancies are open in the by-election and six valid nominations were received during the nomination period. There are two candidates running for an Indigenous Inhabitant Representative post of Ma Wat Tsuen of the Fanling District Rural Committee. Polling will be held for the village.
          
     Four candidates were returned uncontested to be the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative of Kau Liu Ha, and the Resident Representatives of Kam Shan Village, Shuen Wan Chan Uk and Wo Yi Hop.
           
     No valid nomination was received for the Indigenous Inhabitant Representative vacancies of Po Toi, Sok Kwu Wan, Long Ke, Wong Keng Tsai, Pak Tam Au and Yin Ngam, and the Resident Representative vacancies of Po Toi, Yung Shue Ha, Ngau Au, Lai Chi Wo, Luk Keng Wong Uk, Hoi Pong Street, Lung Mei, Ma Nam Wat, Pak Tam Chung, Ping Tun, Tai Street (West), Tung A, Ha Yeung, Ping Chau Sha Tau, Uk Tau, Shuen Wan Wai Ha and Ham Tin.

     The list of valid nominations is as follows:
 

 
     Polling will be held from noon to 7pm on June 16. Electors are required to bring along the original of their identity document or other specific alternative documents to the designated polling station as specified in the polling notice. 

     There will be arrangements to enable remanded persons and detainees who are registered electors of the village to cast their votes in the by-election. 

     Arrangements will be made for electors who are remanded or detained by law enforcement agencies (other than the Correctional Services Department) to cast their votes at the dedicated polling station located on G/F, Mei Tin Community Hall, 9 Mei Mun Lane, Tai Wai, Sha Tin, New Territories. The polling hours are from noon to 7pm.

     If necessary, reserved dedicated polling stations will also be set up in the 21 penal institutions for electors under the custody of the Correctional Services Department to cast their votes from 1pm to 4pm. 

     For further information, please visit the Rural Representative Election website, www.had.gov.hk/rre, or call 2152 1521.

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

     Under Rule 14(3) of the Rules of Procedure, the President of the Legislative Council has decided that the Council meeting of June 12 will not be held today (June 13). Announcement will be made once the President determines the time of the meeting.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (June 13) that due to inclement weather, red flags have been hoisted at Clear Water Bay First Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District.  

     Meanwhile, due to big waves, red flag has been hoisted at Shek O Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island.

     Beach-goers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Central Tender Board (CTB) announces that the closing time for tenders to be received through the Government Secretariat Tender Box by noon tomorrow (June 14) will be extended until further notice, due to blockage of the public access to the Government Secretariat Tender Box.

     Following removal of the blockage, the CTB will announce the extended tender closing time as soon as practicable. The announcement will be made via press releases on the GovHK website (www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/today.htm).