â€‹Hong Kong Customs on July 19 and 20 detected two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 1 kilogram of suspected cocaine and 7kg of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) with a total estimated market value of about $2 million. Three persons were arrested.

     In the first case, Customs on July 19 intercepted at the airport a 48-year-old male passenger and a 25-year-old female passenger, who arrived in Hong Kong from Conakry, Guinea via Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, for Customs clearance. During clearance, Customs officers suspected that they had dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. They were then escorted to the hospital for examination.

     Upon examination, it was confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside the two persons' body cavities and they were arrested immediately. As at 3pm today (July 21), the arrested persons have excreted 97 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1kg in total. The estimated market value was about $700,000.

     In the second case, Customs on July 20 intercepted at the airport a 57-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 7kg of suspected MDMA, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million, concealed inside some bed sheets and the false compartments of his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The three arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 22). 

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

     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 Director of Immigration, Mr Benson Kwok, officiated at the appointment ceremony for the Immigration Department (ImmD) Youth Ambassador Programme today (July 21) held in Shanghai. He appointed eight young people from Hong Kong who were studying or working in the East China region as the ImmD Youth Ambassadors.

     It is the third time ImmD appointing Youth Ambassadors in the Mainland, after Beijing and Guangzhou. The appointed Youth Ambassadors will receive diversified training provided by the ImmD during the one-year term, aiming at deepening their understanding of the operations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the business scope of the ImmD. They will also collaborate with the Immigration Divisions of the Mainland Offices of the HKSAR Government, in disseminating and conveying the latest information and updates about the ImmD. The ImmD expects that Programme will broaden the Youth Ambassadors' horizons and lay a solid foundation for their future work in various positions within society.

     During the appointment ceremony, Mr Kwok encouraged the Youth Ambassadors to take this opportunity to enhance their understanding of the ImmD's policies and works, promote and introduce the works of the ImmD to the public, tell Hong Kong's good stories, and serve as a bridge between the youths of the Mainland and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Mr Kwok emphasised that young generation are the future of the country. He expected the Youth Ambassadors to utilise their strengths, keep learning and progressing, and make contribution to the stability and prosperity of the country and Hong Kong.

     The ImmD launched the ImmD Youth Ambassador Programme in 2023, and appointed eight young people living in Beijing to be the first batch of Youth Ambassadors in November of the same year. Subsequently, in March 2024, the ImmD appointed eight young people living or working in Guangdong as the second batch of Youth Ambassadors in Guangzhou.

    

     A sick 60-year-old male remand person in custody at Pak Sha Wan Correctional Institution died in a public hospital today (July 21).

     The remand person in custody suffered from liver cirrhosis. He required continuous medical care and follow-up treatment at the institution hospital and a public hospital. On July 11, he was sent to a public hospital for treatment due to physical discomfort. During hospitalisation, his condition deteriorated and he was certified dead at 9am today.

     The case has been reported to the Police. A death inquest will be held by the Coroner's Court.

     â€‹The person in custody was remanded for the offence of indecent conduct towards child under 16 in April 2024.

The following is issued on behalf of the Liquor Licensing Board:

     The Liquor Licensing Board will meet on Tuesday (July 23) to consider revocation of the liquor licence of LONGTAIL in Causeway Bay.

     The meeting will be held at 9.45am in the conference room, Room 102, 1/F, 258 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

     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.