Hong Kong Customs detects two cases involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" by outgoing passengers at land boundary control points
Hong Kong Customs on December 27 and 28 detected two cases involving possession of etomidate (the main ingredient of "space oil drug"), a kind of Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Regulations, by passengers at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point and the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point. A total of four suspected "space oil drug" capsules were seized.
The first case involved a local female passenger, aged 17, who departed for the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Control Point on December 27. During customs clearance, one suspected "space oil drug" capsule and a related inhaling device were found in her handbag. The woman was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved a 32-year-old local male passenger. The man went to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on December 28. During customs clearance, three suspected "space oil drug" capsules were found concealed in a specially sewn pocket on the jeans he was wearing. He was then arrested.
The two arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. Investigations are ongoing.
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.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour report 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 two cases involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" by outgoing passengers at land boundary control points Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two cases involving possession of suspected "space oil drug" by outgoing passengers at land boundary control points Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Notes exchange service and electronic lai-see for Chinese New Year
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
As the Chinese New Year draws near, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the three note-issuing banks (The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited) today (January 2) announced that new notes and good-as-new notes, i.e. used notes which are in good condition and suitable for use as lai-see, will be available for exchange at branches of the three note-issuing banks from January 14 (Tuesday) to January 28 (Tuesday).
The HKMA encourages the public to use electronic channels including the Faster Payment System available via online or mobile banking, or other e-wallet services for giving lai-see. Giving electronic lai-see is simple and convenient, and will contribute to sustainable development by reducing the usage of physical red packets and banknotes. Major banks and electronic payment operators will encourage giving electronic lai-see by various promotional programmes. The public may refer to the details of these programmes as and when announced by banks and operators.
The three note-issuing banks will put in place appropriate measures to facilitate the notes exchange, including:
(1) |
Advancing the opening hour to 8am on the first 3 days of the service period, i.e. January 14 (Tuesday) to January 16 (Thursday), and dedicating the aforesaid additional operation hours, i.e. 8am to 9am, exclusively for providing the notes exchange service; |
(2) |
Offering online booking service for both new notes and good-as-new notes starting from January 7 (Tuesday), details of which will be announced by individual note-issuing banks within next week; and |
(3) |
Putting in place crowd management measures such as distributing physical tickets and implementing queue management when needed. |
Members of the public who desire to use cash for giving lai-see may wish to check for any remaining stock of new notes or good-as-new notes at home before going to a bank. Also, there is no need to rush to exchange for new notes and good-as-new notes during the first few days of the service period as banks will ensure the supply of these notes throughout the service period.
