Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police yesterday (November 26) conducted an anti-smuggling joint operation and detected a suspected smuggling case using a speedboat in the North Lantau waters of Hong Kong. Suspected smuggled goods including about 1 400 used mobile phones, about 100 used tablets, about 160 kilograms of wood logs and about 900 live frogs with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million were seized.

     Officers from Customs and the Marine Police spotted several suspicious men moving cartons of goods from a private car to a speedboat near Tung Chung yesterday evening. Officers then took immediate action and the men fled in the speedboat.

     During the operation, the batch of suspected smuggled goods was seized and a private car involved was also detained for further investigation.

     Investigation is ongoing.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Hong Kong Customs and the Marine Police will continue to take stringent enforcement action to combat sea smuggling activities.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 26) seized about 1.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million and a duty potential of about $2.4 million at Man Kam To Control Point.

     Customs officers intercepted an incoming truck declared as carrying assorted goods at Man Kam To Control Point yesterday. After inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in 160 carton boxes mix-loaded with other goods on the truck.

     The 58-year-old male driver was arrested and the truck was detained. Investigation is ongoing.
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     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182, or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

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 (November 27) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Silverstrand Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.

The following is issued on behalf of the Office of the Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance:
 
     The Chief Executive has caused a copy of the "Annual Report 2017" by the Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance to be tabled at the Legislative Council sitting tomorrow (November 28).
 
     To assist the public in understanding his report, as well as to answer any queries they may have, the Commissioner, Mr Azizul Rahman Suffiad, will hold a briefing for members of the public, Legislative Council Members and media representatives on December 4 (Tuesday) at 11am at the Function Hall, 1/F, Main Wing, Justice Place, 18 Lower Albert Road, Central, Hong Kong. Registration will start at 10.30am on that day.
 
     Copies of the report will be available for collection after 2pm tomorrow at the Office of the Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance at Units 1501-1504, 15/F, Sunlight Tower, 248 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.
 
     The report will also be uploaded to the webpage of the Secretariat, Commissioner on Interception of Communications and Surveillance (www.sciocs.gov.hk), tomorrow after the Legislative Council tabling.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2834 3361.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department will hold the "East Side Stories" community thematic carnival on December 9 (Sunday) from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Aldrich Bay Park in Sai Wan Ho, featuring a variety of activities including performances, an exhibition and workshops to explore the stories of Eastern District. Members of the public are welcome to join in the fun with free admission.
 
     Stand-up comedian Mary will be the emcee of the carnival, which will feature choral singing, woodwind quintet and a cappella performances, as well as a site-specific dance performance, an interactive music theatre show, pop-up theatre of Eastern District and playback theatre performances.
 
     To enhance the public's knowledge of the history and culture of Eastern District, the carnival will also feature a photo exhibition displaying scenes of old Shau Kei Wan. In addition, recordings of fishing songs will be played for carnival-goers to hear tunes dating back to when Hong Kong was still a fishing village.
 
     Workshops on map drawing, paper modelling, story-telling, 3D origami and an "Open Secrets" corner will also be held for public enjoyment. Admission to all workshops is free with tickets. Tickets will be distributed from 2pm on the event day at the respective workshop booths on a first-come, first-served basis.
 
     For enquiries about the carnival, please call 2591 1340 or visit the website at www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/eo/territoryevents/communitythematic/ctc2018_swh.html.