Inter-departmental counter-terrorism intelligence and hazardous material incident exercise conducted (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs and the Fire Services Department (FSD) co-organised a counter-terrorism intelligence and hazardous material incident exercise codenamed "WOLFHUNT" this afternoon (June 24) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.  

     Over 50 officers from Customs and the FSD participated in the exercise. The exercise simulated the identification of an outgoing light goods vehicle driver who was suspected to be involved in terrorist activities by Customs officers during customs clearance at the Outbound Cargo Examination Building. During the examination, a container carrying suspected hazardous material was found hidden underneath the light goods vehicle, whereupon it was noted that leakage of the hazardous material occurred. Customs officers swiftly activated the contingency response plan. They immediately summoned the FSD and informed the Inter-departmental Counter Terrorism Unit of suspected terrorism-related clues for follow-up action. FSD officers sped to the scene upon being summoned, and the Hazardous Materials Team was deployed to carry out decontamination procedures and handle the hazardous material. 

     The exercise raised the counter-terrorism awareness of frontline officers and their ability to handle counter-terrorism intelligence, while enhancing the co-ordination and communication between the two departments in case of emergency. In the exercise, Customs officers made use of the recently introduced Smart Under Vehicle Robot to assist in cross-boundary vehicle inspections to deter illegal importation of prohibited and controlled items into Hong Kong, or stop transshipments of such items to the Mainland via Hong Kong, protecting the lives and property of citizens as well as safeguarding national security.