A Hong Kong resident who failed to register the birth of his child within the prescribed period was convicted at Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (March 21).

     The Immigration Department (ImmD) investigated a case of failure to register a birth within the prescribed period. After investigation, it was found that a man had failed to register the birth of his daughter born in August 2017. The man was charged at Shatin Magistrates' Courts today with failure to perform the birth registration of a baby within 42 days after the day of birth. He was sentenced to a fine of $1,000. The birth registration of the baby girl was completed in July 2018.

     The ImmD spokesman reminded parents to fulfil their obligations under the law to register the birth of a child within 42 days of birth so that the rights to medical treatment, education and welfare benefits to which their children are entitled won't be harmed due to delays in following the relevant procedures. Failure to do so is an offence for which the maximum sentence upon summary conviction is a fine of $2,000 or six months' imprisonment.

     The Department of Health (DH) today (March 21) urged the public not to buy or consume a health product named BIONERGY as it was found to contain an undeclared controlled substance. ​    
 
     Acting upon intelligence, the DH collected samples of the above product for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory confirmed that the samples contain nortadalafil, a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (PPO) (Cap 138). ​    
 
     The DH's investigation is continuing. ​    
 
     "Nortadalafil is an analogue of tadalafil, a prescription drug ingredient used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Side effects of tadalafil include low blood pressure, headache, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Nortadalafil, being chemically similar to tadalafil, is expected to pose similar health risks," a spokesman for the DH said.    
 
     According to the PPO, the illegal sale or possession of Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
 
     The spokesman strongly urges members of the public not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition. People who have purchased the above product should stop taking it immediately and consult healthcare professionals for advice if in doubt or feeling unwell after consumption. They may submit the product to the DH's Drug Office at Room 1856, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.

    

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $1 million at Hong Kong International Airport on March 18.

     Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel from Germany on March 18 and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed in six food packing boxes in the parcel. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (March 20) arrested a man suspected to be in connection with the case in Sham Tseng. 

     The arrested man, aged 22, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 22).

     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 latest test results of the opening-up investigation in the second stage of the holistic assessment strategy for the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link (SCL) project (as at March 21) are now available at the Highways Department's website for the SCL project (www.hyd.gov.hk/en/road_and_railway/railway_projects/scl/index.html) for reference by the public.

The following is issued on behalf of the Transport Advisory Committee:                  
      
     The Transport Complaints Unit (TCU) of the Transport Advisory Committee received 7 918 complaints and suggestions in the fourth quarter of 2018, with 47 pure suggestions. The total number of cases represents an increase of 7.1 per cent as compared with 7 394 cases in the previous quarter and an increase of 18.8 per cent when compared with 6 666 cases in the same quarter of 2017.
      
     The complaints and suggestions received during the quarter were mostly related to public transport services (87 per cent), enforcement matters (10 per cent) and traffic conditions (1 per cent).
      
     The number of cases on public transport services increased by 6.5 per cent from 6 461 in the previous quarter to 6 880 this quarter, while complaints and suggestions on traffic conditions decreased from 131 to 121. Cases about road maintenance decreased from 56 to 33 and the number of complaints about illegal parking and other enforcement matters increased from 700 to 860.
      
     All the complaints and suggestions received by the TCU in the quarter were referred to the relevant government departments and public transport operators for follow-up action.
      
     During the period under review, investigations into 7 472 cases were completed. Of these, 5 466 cases (73 per cent) were found to be substantiated, 73 cases (1 per cent) were unsubstantiated, and the remaining 1 933 cases (26 per cent) could not be pursued due to lack of evidence.
      
     For the substantiated cases, the relevant government departments and public transport operators have either taken steps to rectify the situation or are considering possible solutions to the problems identified. Among these cases, 104 drivers were summonsed by the Police.
      
     During the quarter, the relevant government departments and public transport operators took on board 14 suggestions made by the public to enhance public transport services and improve traffic conditions. A summary of the cases is in the Appendix.
      
     Members of the public may make their suggestions or complaints to the TCU by dialling the hotline 2889 9999 (voice mail service is available outside office hours), by fax to 2577 1858, by email to info@tcu.gov.hk or by filling in a form on the TCU website (www.info.gov.hk/tcu).