Seventh stop of "Anti-drug Info Zone: Stride Ahead Into A Drug-free Future" Roving Exhibition to be held at Citywalk 2 this weekend
The "Anti-drug Info Zone: Stride Ahead Into A Drug-free Future" Roving Exhibition (Anti-drug Roving Exhibition) will be held at Citywalk 2 in Tsuen Wan tomorrow (October 19) and October 20. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition at the event hall on the UG/F of Citywalk 2 from 10am to 9pm.
The Anti-drug Roving Exhibition is co-organised by the Narcotics Division (ND) of the Security Bureau and the Action Committee Against Narcotics, and is designed with the theme of interstellar space. Drugs are portrayed in the exhibition as aliens that should be defeated. This visual representation helps present the adverse effects caused by drugs on one's mind and body in a vivid manner. By seeing the aliens, everyone will be strongly reminded again to stay away from drugs at all times, and be aware of the dire consequences of committing drug crimes.
Including elements of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and multimedia, the Anti-drug Roving Exhibition is divided into different theme zones with games, digital exhibition panels and a photo booth to spread anti-drug knowledge to visitors and provide them with information about criminal liability for drug offences, as well as how to seek help and so on. Anti-drug videos, animations and leaflets will also be available at the Anti-drug Roving Exhibition to provide visitors with precise anti-drug information. After this seventh stop, the Anti-drug Roving Exhibition will be held at different places including tertiary institutes until the end of March next year.
Furthermore, the ND has been closely monitoring drug trends in and outside Hong Kong and is carrying out preventive education and publicity in a timely manner to deepen the public's understanding of the harmful effects caused by drug abuse. The ND has produced an animated video about the harmful effects of abusing "space oil", which depicts a youngster falling into a drug abyss after inhaling "space oil" through vaping. "Space oil" is a kind of liquid that has harmful substances illegally added to it. Usually, its main ingredient is etomidate, an anaesthetic that can only be prescribed by a doctor according to the law. Anyone who illegally possesses and uses this substance commits an offence. "Space oil" may also be mixed with other drugs, including cannabis and ketamine (commonly known as "K"), etc. "Space oil" can cause addiction as well as serious physical and mental harm, and even death. Therefore, vaping "space oil" is the same as taking drugs. The animated video will be shown at the Anti-drug Roving Exhibition. Members of the public are also encouraged to watch the animated video on the relevant ND's webpage (www.nd.gov.hk/en/space_oil.html) and official accounts ("narcotics.divisionhk") on Facebook and Instagram.
Apart from the animated video on "space oil", the ND's official accounts ("narcotics.divisionhk") on Facebook and Instagram also provide the latest anti-drug information. The public are welcome to follow the accounts. The website (www.nd.gov.hk) of the ND also contains detailed information about dangerous drugs, including frequently asked questions about cocaine, cannabis and methamphetamine (commonly known as "Ice"), as well as updates on the Anti-drug Roving Exhibition (www.nd.gov.hk/en/rovingexhibition.html). If members of the public encounter any drug problems, they can message 98 186 186 on instant messaging applications WhatsApp and WeChat, or call the 24-hour hotline 186 186 to seek information or assistance from professional social workers.
Three illegal workers jailed
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation to combat illegal workers providing cross-boundary purchasing and delivery services in Hong Kong on October 15. Three Mainland visitors, suspected of being illegal workers, were arrested.
Immigration officers found that social media platforms have been utilised by individuals from the Mainland to advertise cross-boundary purchasing and delivery services in Hong Kong. After an in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD officers identified several suspected illegal delivery workers and initiated an operation. Officers disguised themselves as customers to book cross-boundary purchasing and delivery services from these Mainland delivery workers. The suspects were subsequently arrested while providing cross-boundary delivery services in Hong Kong. The arrested illegal workers comprised two men and one woman, aged 32 to 33.
The illegal workers were charged at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (October 17) with breaching the conditions of their stay. They pleaded guilty to the charges and were sentenced to two months' imprisonment.
"The ImmD will continue to strengthen enforcement actions against illegal employment and seek various means to publicise the serious consequences of employing illegal workers in order to raise public awareness of the issue. The ImmD will conduct target-oriented cyber patrols and take prompt enforcement actions if any person is found organising, arranging or instigating others to commit serious crimes such as employing illegal workers," an ImmD spokesman said.
The spokesman warned, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him/her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any business, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order,an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Three illegal workers jailed Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
