The 36th Toronto International Dragon Boat Race Festival, organised by the Toronto Chinese Business Association and supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Toronto) (Toronto ETO), welcomed teams from across Canada and around the world on June 15 and 16 (Toronto time), attracting thousands of people to the Centre Island in Toronto to enjoy this annual event.
 
       Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Festival, the Director of the Toronto ETO, Ms Emily Mo, remarked that Toronto ETO is proud to continue the support of the Festival. "Dragon boat race signifies the strong and close ties between Hong Kong and Canada," said Ms Mo. "We brought this modernized water sport from Hong Kong to Canada."
 
       Ms Mo also shared with the audience that Hong Kong is blessed with a constant stream of exciting events this year. "Over 200 mega events is being held throughout 2024, spanning through cultural, arts, music, sports events, conventions and exhibitions on different sectors, as well as traditional festivals, celebrations, galas and carnivals," Ms Mo added. 
 
       Ms Mo encouraged Canadians to visit the events calendar of Hong Kong when planning their itinerary to travel to this Asian World City.  

       On both days of the Festival, the Toronto ETO set up a Hong Kong pavilion with mini-exhibition to showcase the history of dragon boating in Hong Kong. Giveaways were also distributed to the race spectators.
 
       In addition, as one of the highlights of the Festival, the commemorative Hong Kong Cup, sponsored by the Toronto ETO, was presented to one of the dragon boat race winning teams on June 16 (Toronto time).
 
       Toronto ETO has been sponsoring dragon boat racing in different cities across Canada. The dragon boat festivals in Vancouver and Ottawa will be held from June 21 to 23 (Canada time) respectively. 

        

     Police are investigating the death of a police officer in Marine Harbour Division Base this afternoon (June 16).

     At around 3.20pm, Police found a 51-year-old male Police Constable, who was attached to the Inshore Patrol Sub-Unit of Marine Harbour Division, injured inside a changing room in Marine Harbour Division Base. He had a gunshot wound to his head and was certified dead at scene. A service pistol was found next to the deceased.

     Upon initial investigation, it is believed that he committed suicide with his service revolver.

     Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

     Investigation by Regional Crime Unit of Marine is underway.

     Police express sorrow and regret over the death of the police officer and extend sympathies to his family members to whom timely assistance will be offered.

     The Hong Kong Police Force today (June 16) organised the Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day (READ) at the Hong Kong Police College with the theme of "Ordinary is Extraordinary". Participants were given opportunities to participate in various experimental activities to gain a better knowledge of the selection process, foundation training programmes at the Police College, and the diversified police duties, which can enrich their preparedness to join the Force and achieve their extraordinary goal to serve the community.

     The event consisted of three thematic sessions: (1) Selection workshops for Probationary Inspector / Police Constable; (2) Interactive Police Unit Display / Recruitment Talk / Sharing of Training Experience; and (3) Physical Fitness Test Workshops. Recruitment stations were set up to facilitate participants to submit applications and undergo initial screening on the spot.
      
     "Live Streaming Recruitment Talk" was held for the first time for candidates who were unable to attend the event in person, as well as students currently studying on the Mainland and overseas, so as to provide them with the same opportunity to learn more about the selection process and interview skills.

     Three new Recruitment Spokespersons made their debut in READ to encourage participants to join the Force. They were chosen from more than 100 applicants in a rigorous selection, and will take part in various recruitment activities to share their inspiring stories and aspirations, with a view to attracting applicants from diverse backgrounds.
                 
     A total of 1 783 participants (resulting in 2 391 attendance) joined the Police Recruitment Experience and Assessment Day, during which 863 on-spot applications were received, comprising of 245 Probationary Inspector, 519 Recruit Police Constable, and 99 Police Constable (Auxiliary) posts. Applicants included students of local and overseas tertiary institutes and working people.

     The Force accepts job applications year-round. Persons who are interested in applying for Probationary Inspector, Recruit Police Constable or Police Constable (Auxiliary) can complete the application form at the Police website or mail the completed form to the Police Recruitment Division. For more information, please visit the Police recruitment webpage at www.police.gov.hk/recruitment.

            

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs mounted an enforcement operation "Thunderbolt" in late May to combat illegal export of suspected controlled medicines. The operation smashed two syndicates that were attempting to illegally export controlled medicines. Four women were arrested.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers in late May selected and inspected an outbound air parcel destined for Italy from Hong Kong at Hong Kong International Airport. Twenty-two tablets of suspected controlled medicines were found inside the parcel.

     After in-depth investigation, Hong Kong Customs successfully targeted two medicine smuggling sydicates, which were active in Mui Wo and San Po Kong respectively.

     Customs officers on June 3 arrested a 43-year-old woman suspected to be in connection with the case and seized about 6 000 tablets of suspected controlled medicines in the outbound air parcels mailed by her at Mui Wo Post Office. The officers raided a residential unit in Mui Wo on the same day. About 600 000 tablets of suspected controlled medicines were found in the unit and a 54-year-old woman suspected to be connected to the case was arrested. The two arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Later, Customs officers on June 15 arrested a 45-year-old woman suspected to be in connection with the case and seized about 10 000 tablets of suspected controlled medicines in the outbound air parcels mailed by her at Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office. The officers raided an industrial unit, suspected to be a storage centre, in San Po Kong on the same day. About 800 000 tablets of suspected controlled medicines were found in the unit and a 38-year-old woman suspected to be connected to the case was arrested. The two arrested persons are detained for investigation.

     Customs believes that the operation smashed two syndicates that were attempting to illegally export controlled medicines. The department will continue to maintain stringent law enforcement and close contact with relevant government departments and the logistics industry to combat illegal export of controlled medicines.

     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who exports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid export licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned ordinances 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).

  

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 said today (June 16) that because of an oil spill, the red flag has been hoisted at Golden Beach in Tuen Mun District. The beach has been closed until further notice. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at the beach.