Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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Unqualified lifeguard case addressed

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department said today that a life-saving attendant at the San Francisco Towers swimming pool on Ventris Road, Happy Valley is suspected of using a fraudulent life-saving attendant certificate.

The department elaborated that its officers, while verifying a batch of lifeguard records with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society today, found that the credentials of a life-saving attendant on duty at the swimming pool on June 4 did not match the society’s records.

As the life-saving attendant’s qualifications are in doubt, and the swimming pool has allegedly failed to provide a sufficient number of qualified life-saving attendants as required by law, the department ordered the immediate closure of the pool. It is also considering prosecuting the pool licensee.

In addition to reporting the case to Police, the department notified the Property Management Services Authority to take parallel follow-up action.

The Food & Environmental Hygiene Department has implemented a series of enhancement measures from May 19 to further prevent the employment of unqualified life-saving attendants at private swimming pools. In May, it inspected 713 licensed swimming pools and verified the qualifications of 1,041 life-saving attendants with the Hong Kong China Life Saving Society.

Apart from the case in Happy Valley, no other irregularities regarding suspected employment of unqualified life-saving attendants have been identified, the department added.

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No cannabis in HK Haribo candies

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Government today said it tested 58 samples of Haribo candy products in Hong Kong and none of them contained tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabis component.

The Government Laboratory tested the 58 samples that had already been removed from shelves in the city, after overseas reports suggested that Haribo candies may be contaminated and tested positive for cannabis.

Upon receiving relevant information, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department’s Centre for Food Safety contacted local food traders and consulted authorities in the Netherlands.

The affected batch of products was not imported into Hong Kong, the Government said.

For prudence sake, the centre had previously informed the trade to temporarily remove the brand’s candies from shelves. The relevant traders have been informed of the test results.

The Government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate action as needed.

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Testing results on Haribo Candies

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

​In response to overseas reports suggesting that Haribo candies may be contaminated and tested positive for cannabis, a government spokesperson stated today (June 6) that the Government Laboratory has completed the test on 58 samples of Haribo candy products that had already been removed from shelves. The results showed that none of the samples contained tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a cannabis component. The relevant traders have been informed of the test results.

Upon receiving relevant information, the Centre for Food Safety (the Centre) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department contacted local food traders and consulted authorities in the Netherlands. The affected batch of products was not imported into Hong Kong, but for prudence sake, the Centre had previously informed the trade to temporarily remove the brand’s candies from shelves.

The government will continue to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate actions as needed.

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Speech by FS at French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner (English only) (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong Gala Dinner this evening (June 6):

Consul General (Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe), Alain (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong, Mr Alain Li), friends from the French business community, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, 

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Missing man in Cheung Sha Wan located

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan has been located.
 
     Yu Wai-hung, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen in a hospital on Princess Margaret Hospital Road yesterday (June 5) afternoon. Staff of his caring home made a report to Police on the same day.

     The man was located in a sports ground on Hing Shing Rd, Kwai Chung this afternoon (June 6). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

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Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases at airport with seizure worth about $16 million (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 5) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 22 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 8kg of suspected cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million.
 
The first case involved an 18-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, about 22kg of suspected ketamine was found in his check-in suitcase and a product containing about 6 grams of suspected nicotine was found on him. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
 
In the second case, an 18-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Madrid, Spain, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, about 8kg of suspected cocaine was found in his check-in suitcase and a batch of suspected alternative smoking products was found on him. This passenger was subsequently arrested.
 
The arrested male in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of a Part 1 Poison, and the arrested male in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of importing alternative smoking products. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (June 7). 
 
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.
 
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.
 
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
 
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
 
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).

           

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Mable Chan ends Chongqing visit

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Transport & Logistics Mable Chan today led a Hong Kong Logistics Development Council delegation to meet officials of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government and inspect the high-speed rail freight services in Chongqing.

At the meeting with Vice Mayor of Chongqing Municipal People’s Government Zheng Xiangdong and other officials, the delegation reported Hong Kong’s latest logistics developments in Hong Kong.

They also discussed further deepening co-operation in intermodal cargo transshipment and building the Chongqing-Hong Kong logistics corridor under the Hong Kong-Chongqing Co-operation Conference Mechanism, with a view to leveraging the strengths of the two hubs to serve the country’s needs.

The delegation also inspected the operations of high-speed rail freight services to gain insights into how Chongqing leverages its railway transport system, complemented by intermodal cargo transshipment modes such as air and sea transport, to enhance the overall rail freight service capacity.

They also met representatives of local logistics and transportation enterprises to further explore collaboration opportunities between the two places.

Ms Chan said Hong Kong’s status as an international aviation hub and maritime centre, coupled with its professional strengths, means it can better serve Chongqing, a key manufacturing base of the country, by providing an efficient export channel for local goods.

Yesterday, Ms Chan and the delegation attended the Hong Kong-Chongqing logistics sector co-operation seminar, where she highlighted Hong Kong’s advantages in logistics and transport to the local logistics sector.

The seminar was organised by the Hong Kong Logistics Development Council and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.  

Yesterday afternoon, the delegation met representatives of local shipping enterprises to discuss enhancing the maritime ties between Hong Kong and Chongqing.

They also toured the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park to learn about its operation, and met Deputy Director of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government Zhang Yaqian, to exchange views on ways to facilitate exchanges and collaborations in logistics and transport.

Ms Chan concluded her visit this afternoon and will return to Hong Kong in the evening.

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Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photo)Issued at HKT 18:20

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to three weeks’ imprisonment with a fine of $1,500 at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts today (June 6) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 59-year-old male passenger at the Lo Wu Control Point yesterday (June 5) and seized 2 185 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $8,900 and a duty potential of about $7,200 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Ends/Friday, June 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:20
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Hong Kong Customs special operation combats online sale of counterfeit perfumes and skincare products (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs special operation combats online sale of counterfeit perfumes and skincare products (with photo)Issued at HKT 17:20

Hong Kong Customs mounted a special enforcement operation on May 28 and yesterday (June 5), and detected two cases of selling suspected counterfeit goods on online platforms. A total of about 700 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including perfumes and skincare products, with an estimated market value of about $300,000, were seized, and two persons were arrested.

Customs earlier received information from the public and a trademark owner alleging that counterfeit skincare products were put on sale through online platforms. Customs officers then made use of a big-data analytics system to conduct risk assessments and analyses, and through cyber patrols, discovered that another account on an online platform was also selling suspected counterfeit perfumes and skincare products. An investigation was then launched.

After a comprehensive investigation and with the assistance of the trademark owner, Customs officers took enforcement actions on the aforementioned dates and searched two residential units in Mei Foo and Kwun Tong, resulting in the seizure of the batch of suspected counterfeit goods.

During the operation, two women aged 43 and 31 were arrested.

The investigation is ongoing, and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out. Also, Customs is looking into the source of the goods involved in the cases, and samples will be sent to the Government Laboratory for safety testing.

Customs reminds consumers to purchase goods at reputable shops or online shops and to avoid conducting transaction with suspicious traders. They should check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

Customs has been striving to protect consumer rights and carries out inspections in the market and on the Internet from time to time. Moreover, Customs officers use a big-data analytics system to carry out risk assessments and analyses to verify whether online shops have complied with the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) with a view to safeguarding the interests of consumers during online purchases.

Under the TDO, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting 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).

Ends/Friday, June 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:20
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Appeal for information on missing man in Cheung Sha Wan (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Police today (June 6) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Cheung Sha Wan.

     Yu Wai-hung, aged 70, went missing after he was last seen in a hospital on Princess Margaret Hospital Road yesterday (June 5) afternoon. Staff of his caring home made a report to Police on the same day.

     He is about 1.65 metres tall, 60 kilograms in weight and of thin build. He has a pointed face with yellow complexion and short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a green jacket, grey T-shirt, black trousers, black shoes and a mask, carrying a wheelchair and a white recycle bag. His left leg is prosthetic.

     Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the missing man or may have seen him is urged to contact the Regional Missing Persons Unit of New Territories South on 3661 1176 or 9689 6212 or email to rmpu-nts-2@police.gov.hk, or contact any police station.