The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (November 15) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and strongly urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito… read more
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Yau Tong and Hong Kong International Airport over the past two days (November 13 and 14) and seized a total of about 78 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 11kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $46 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, through risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs on November 4 inspected an air consignment consisting of eighty boxes, declared as carrying detergents and arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium, at the airport and detected suspicious X-ray images. It was also found that the weight of some of the detergents was different from the declared weight. After a detailed examination of the suspicious detergents, Customs officers eventually found a total of about 78kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $38 million.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on November 13 arrested a 25-year-old local male consignee, who claimed to be a chef, near Lei Yue Mun.
The second case involved a 27-year-old local male, who arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday (November 14). During customs clearance, Customs officers seized a total of about 11kg of suspected cocaine concealed in stuffed toys inside his hand-carry rucksack and suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man in the first case was charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (November 16). The arrestee in the second case was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to 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.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002). read more
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (November 15) that in view of a notification from the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary about an outbreak of highly pathoge… read more
The Process Review Panel for the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (PRP) published its 2023 Annual Report today (November 15), covering its work from May 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023. &nbs… read more
The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) and the Youth Development Commission (YDC) jointly launched the 2025-26 (first round) Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland today (November 15). Eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are invited to submit applications.
The Government attaches great importance to youth development. The HYAB promulgated the Youth Development Blueprint in end-2022, which states that the Government will further strengthen the breadth and depth of the Mainland and international internship and exchange programmes with a view to enhancing young people’s understanding of the country and supporting their integration into the overall development of the country. Through the Funding Scheme for Youth Exchange in the Mainland, the HYAB and the YDC provide funding for NGOs to organise youth exchange projects on the Mainland for Hong Kong young people to enhance their awareness and understanding of the country’s development, foster exchanges with Mainland people and strengthen their sense of national identity. Launched earlier this year, the Pilot Scheme on Subsidy to Grassroots Youth for Participating in Exchange Activities Outside Hong Kong will also continue to provide additional subsidies to grassroots youth with financial needs to participate in exchange projects under the 2025-26 funding scheme.
The 2025-26 funding scheme accepts two rounds of applications. Details of the first round and application forms are available on the YDC website (www.ydc.gov.hk/en/programmes/ep/ep_fundingscheme.html). Interested NGOs should submit their applications on or before December 16. The second round of applications will be launched in mid-2025. read more