Hong Kong Customs detects largest land boundary bird's nests smuggling case on record
Hong Kong Customs on November 20 detected a suspected smuggling case involving a cross-boundary goods vehicle at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and seized about 438 kilograms of suspected smuggled bird's nests with an estimated market value of about $32 million. This is the largest on record among bird's nests smuggling cases detected by Customs at land boundary control points in terms of the market value of the seizure.
Based on risk assessment, Customs on that day intercepted an outbound goods vehicle declared to contain game consoles at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. Upon inspection, Customs officers found 12 pallets of goods inside the cargo compartment of the vehicle, and the batch of suspected smuggled bird's nests was seized from the bottom carton boxes on three of the pallets.
After an investigation, Customs arrested a 58-year-old male driver suspected to be connected with the case. He has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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).
Hong Kong Customs detects largest land boundary bird's nests smuggling case on record Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Grading of beach water quality released
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (November 22) released the latest grading of water quality for 11 gazetted beaches that are open for swimming in November.
Eight beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1), and three as Fair (Grade 2).
Grade 1 beaches are:
Clear Water Bay Second Beach |
Middle Bay Beach |
Deep Water Bay Beach |
Repulse Bay Beach |
Golden Beach |
Silver Mine Bay Beach |
Lido Beach |
Stanley Main Beach |
Grade 2 beaches are:
Big Wave Bay Beach |
Silverstrand Beach |
Casam Beach |
Compared with the grading released last week, Big Wave Bay Beach, Casam Beach and Silverstrand Beach have been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
"The changes are generally within the normal range of fluctuation of the bacteriological water quality of the beaches," an EPD spokesman said.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
