Author Archives: hksar gov

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs on July 12 detected a large-scale seaborne methamphetamine trafficking case at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and seized about 240 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $170 million. Three men and one man suspected to be connected with the case were arrested in Hong Kong and Sydney, Australia, respectively between August 23 and 25.
      
     Through risk assessment and intelligence exchange, Customs inspected a 40-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying synthetic leather rolls and arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on July 12. Upon examination, Customs officers found about 600 rolls of synthetic leather inside the container, 40 of which concealed a total of about 3 600 packs of suspected methamphetamine with each weighing about 65 grams. The total weight of the drugs amounted to about 240kg.
      
     After in-depth investigations, Customs believed the batch of suspected methamphetamine would be shipped to Australia and hence swiftly contacted the Australian law enforcement agencies to arrange international controlled delivery operations. The Australian law enforcement officers later arrested a 28-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Sydney on August 23, and Hong Kong Customs officers arrested three local men, aged between 44 and 71, suspected to be connected with this case in Kwai Chung and North Point on August 24 and 25. One of the locally arrested persons was the director of the consignee company, whereas the other two were the person-in-charge and a staff member of the logistics company.
      
     An investigation is ongoing. The three men arrested in Hong Kong were released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrest is not ruled out. 
      
     Customs will continue to fiercely combat cross-boundary drug trafficking activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, along with close co-operation with law enforcement agencies worldwide and strengthened mutual intelligence exchanges.
      
     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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

      

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Monday, August 28, 2023 is 105.3 (down 0.1 against last Saturday’s index).

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on ​Saturday, August 26, 2023 was 105.4 (up 0.1 against last Friday’s index). read more

     â€‹As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.
      
     Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.
      
     The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.
      
     A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work” to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees’ risk of heat stroke.
      
     Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.
      
     The LD issued the “Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work”, detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers’ and employees’ reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department’s thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm. read more

     Forty convictions were recorded in July 2023 for breaches of legislation enforced by the Environmental Protection Department.             Eight of the convictions we… read more

     Mobile Libraries 1, 5, 6 and 11 will suspend services during designated periods in September for routine maintenance, a spokesman for the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (August 28).      M… read more