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Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes       
     Customs officers intercepted a 67-year-old incoming female passenger on January 2 at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point and seized 581 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $2,300 and a duty potential of about $1,900, found on her. She was subsequently arrested.
      
     In addition, Customs officers intercepted a 66-year-old incoming male passenger at the same control point on January 4, and seized 421 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $1,700 and a duty potential of about $1,300, found on him. He was subsequently arrested.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven 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.hkIssued at HKT 19:40

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Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation       
     During the operation, Hong Kong Customs collaborated with 16 Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, maintained close and real-time exchange of intelligence and conducted joint assessments to effectively track and intercept drug trafficking activities. The Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, Macao Judiciary Police, German Customs, French Customs, New Zealand Customs Service and Thai Customs Department also successfully detected drug trafficking cases in their respective regions.
      
     Customs has been closely monitoring the trends of drug markets and smuggling channels, and has strived to intercept drug trafficking activities at import, transit and export levels based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. Customs will continue to make necessary adjustments in strategy and deployments in accordance with changes in the drug trafficking trends, and deepen co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies to fight against cross-boundary narcotics trafficking activities.
      
     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. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
      
     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.hkIssued at HKT 18:40

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FEHD Sunlight Market stalls for rent on January 22, 23 and 26

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (January 14) that eight vacant stalls at the Sunlight Market will be available to the public for renting on January 22, 23 and 26 on a first-come, first-served basis.

     The retail commodities allowed for sale in these stalls cover vegetables, seawater fish, frozen/chilled meat (excluding chilled poultry), other food-related wet goods, non-food-related wet goods and non-food-related dry goods. The licence agreement is a 25-month fixed term starting from February 1, with no right of renewal upon expiry of the licence agreement. The licence fee of the stalls varies depending on their sizes. Relevant information is available on the FEHD website.

     Members of the public who are interested in renting a market stall should approach the Islands District Environmental Hygiene Office, Room 626, 6/F, Harbour Building, 38 Pier Road, Central (Tel: 2852 3606), to apply in person from 9.30am to 12.30pm or 2.30pm to 4.30pm during the abovementioned renting period. 

     A spokesman for the FEHD said, “Applicants for the market stalls must be at least 18 years old and ordinarily reside in Hong Kong. To allow more people to select stalls and increase customer choices by enhancing the diversity in terms of the variety of stalls, each applicant can only rent one stall in the Sunlight Market. The terms and conditions of renting market stalls on a first-come, first-served basis have been uploaded to the FEHD website, detailing the qualifications of the applicants.”

     Details of renting market stalls in the FEHD Sunlight Market on a first-come, first-served basis have been uploaded to the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pleasant_environment/tidy_market/FCFS/index.html). Interested applicants may visit the department website or contact the Islands District Environmental Hygiene Office.

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Neighbourhood Mutual Help Programme 2026-27 opens for applications

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Home Affairs Department (HAD) is accepting applications for the Neighbourhood Mutual Help Programme 2026-27 from today (January 14). The Programme offers funding to non-governmental organisations for organising various activities and providing services aimed at helping new arrivals from the Mainland and ethnic minorities integrate into the community, with a view to fostering better community cohesion and harmony.

     The application form and application guidelines are available on the HAD’s website (www.had.gov.hk/en/public_services/neighbourhood_mutual_help_programme/index.htm). Interested organisations should submit the completed application form by January 28, 2026 (Wednesday), to Division II, HAD, 31st floor, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai.
 
     For enquiries, please call 2835 1543 or email cdps@had.gov.hk.