Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations: Yellow fire danger warning The fire danger situation today (November 26) is yellow and the risk of fire is high. People are urged to prevent fires breaking out and hi… read more
​Correctional officers at Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre stopped a male remand person in custody from attacking a staff member today (November 25). At 7.09pm today, a 59-year-old male reman… read more
​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 24) detected an incoming passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine and with an estimated market value of about $3.3 million.
A male passenger, aged 45, arrived in Hong Kong from Sofia, Bulgaria via Doha, Qatar, on that day. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in 12 pieces of soap inside his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on November 27.
Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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 Department of Health (DH) announced today (November 25) that the department has initiated the process to cancel the licence of a day procedure centre (DPC) in Causeway Bay. Investigations are on-going.
During the DH’s routine inspection at the concerned DPC, suspected use of unlicensed X-ray machine and unregistered injectable pharmaceutical products were revealed. The DPC was also found to have contravened licence condition and the Code of Practice for Day Procedure Centre under the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance (Cap. 633).
In view of the foregoing, the DH had initiated the process to cancel the DPC licence yesterday (November 24). The concerned X-ray machine has been marked and sealed, while no unregistered pharmaceutical product was present in the premises.
In accordance with sections 28, 30 and 31 of the Private Healthcare Facilities Ordinance, DH has initiated the process for cancellation of licence for the DPC, and the licensee has been given a 14 days’ notice and an opportunity to make representation within 10 days after the date of the notice given to the licensee before the licence is cancelled.
A spokesman for the DH stated that the department has always been monitoring the compliance of the licensed DPCs under the established mechanism. The DH has not received any reports of adverse events related to this DPC so far.
In parallel, follow-up actions along the line of suspected offences in relation to unlicensed X-ray machine and unregistered pharmaceutical products, and illegal practice of medicine are on-going.
Under the Radiation Ordinance (Cap. 303), possession or use of unlicenced X-ray machine constitutes an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $50,000 and two-year imprisonment.
According to the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations (Cap. 138A), illegal supply of unregistered pharmaceutical products is an offence, the maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two-year imprisonment.
The DH will seek legal advice from the Department of Justice for prosecution matters upon completion of the investigation. Referral would be made to relevant enforcement agencies or authorities as appropriate. read more
​Hong Kong Customs on November 23 and yesterday (November 24) seized about 24 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine and assorted types of suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated market value of about $30.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport and Fanling. A man and three women were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on November 23 intercepted an incoming female passenger at the airport and found 12 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine concealed inside eight wine bottles from her luggage. The 27-year-old female passenger was immediately arrested.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 33-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case in Tsim Sha Tsui, and arrested an 18-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Fanling. About 26.8 grams of suspected crack cocaine were found during a search on the man. Customs officers then conducted a search at the man’s residence in Fanling and further seized 12 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine concealed inside eight wine bottles and about 500 grams of assorted suspected dangerous drugs. A 17-year-old woman inside the premises was also arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
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/).
