Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals when the Cold Weather Warning is in force: &nbs… read more
Police are investigating a fatal traffic accident in Sham Shui Po last night (December 7) in which a 65-year-old man died. At about 10.45pm, a public light bus (PLB) driven by the 65-year-o… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Electoral Affairs Commission: In response to media enquiries today (December 7) about counting for the 2019 District Council Ordinary Election, a spokesman for the Electoral Aff… read more
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 6) detected two cross-boundary drug trafficking cases through passenger channel at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 24 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $30 million.
Two 25-year-old male passengers arrived in Hong Kong on the same flight from Johannesburg, South Africa yesterday morning. During Customs clearance, 12kg of suspected cocaine were found inside their check-in baggage respectively. They were then arrested.
The two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts next Monday (December 9).
With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, there is a possibility that drug syndicates need to traffick in dangerous drugs urgently in order to meet the keen demand during long holidays. Customs will further step up enforcement action to combat transnational drug trafficking activities before the long holidays.
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 Civil Aviation Department (CAD), after giving due consideration to the latest operational situation of the Hong Kong Airlines Limited (HKA), decided not to take further action against HKA’s Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) for the time being. HKA’s AOC remains valid.
According to Article 6 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 (Cap. 448 Subsidiary Legislation C), the CAD has to be satisfied that an AOC holder is competent, having regard to his equipment, organisation, staffing, maintenance and other arrangements, to secure the proper and safe operation of his aircraft registered in Hong Kong for the purpose of public transport. In view of the latest financial situation of HKA, the CAD has great concern over the ability of HKA in operating its fleet and made a request on December 2 to HKA, which holds an AOC, to make representation on whether it is able to continue to operate stringently in accordance with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995. HKA later submitted a representation to the CAD.
A CAD spokesman said today (December 7), “Having examined HKA’s representation and considered factors including the results of our inspections of HKA lately and the relevant inspection track record, the CAD has been satisfied that HKA is able to continue to operate properly and safely in strict accordance with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995. The CAD, therefore, has decided not to take further action according to Article 62 of the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 against HKA’s AOC for the time being. Nevertheless, the CAD will continue to closely monitor HKA’s operation and take decisive actions should HKA is found unable to operate in accordance with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995.
“Moreover, the CAD has reminded HKA to operate stringently in accordance with the Air Navigation (Hong Kong) Order 1995 to ensure aviation safety. The CAD will continue to closely monitor HKA’s flight operations and aviation safety standard, as well as actively inspects and audits HKA in order to verify that its equipment, organisation, staffing, maintenance and other arrangements comply with the above-mentioned legal requirements, for the purpose of ensuring its proper and safe operation in accordance with the conditions specified in its AOC,” the spokesman added. read more