Hong Kong Customs shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre with seizure of "space oil drug" and other kinds of narcotics
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 1) in Wong Tai Sin shut down a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre, seizing different kinds of suspected narcotics including the "space oil drug", a batch of electronic cigarette devices and suspected drug packaging paraphernalia with a total estimated market value of about $7 million. Two men suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Wong Tai Sin yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a 19-year-old man and found about 1.1 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, 1kg of suspected cocaine, 1 500 tablets of suspected ecstasy, 100 grams of suspected ecstasy powder, and 102 electronic cigarette devices containing suspected cannabis oil inside a suitcase carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the arrested man to a nearby public housing unit where he lived for a search, and further seized 129 suspected "space oil drug" capsules, about 5kg of suspected cocaine, about 200g of suspected crack cocaine, 80 electronic cigarette devices, and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. Another man, aged 54, inside the unit was also arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement and stringently combat against trafficking of the "space oil drug". If public rental housing units are found to be involved in drug trafficking crimes, Customs will notify the Housing Department for follow-up action after the conclusion of court proceedings.
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 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 shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre with seizure of "space oil drug" and other kinds of narcotics Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government steps up support for enterprises in coping with US tariffs
The Commerce and Economic Development Bureau (CEDB) today (April 10) announced that in view of the reckless tariff imposition by the United States (US), including the further increase in the so-called reciprocal tariffs, the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation (ECIC) will introduce a new round of enhanced measures to support the export trade in Hong Kong and help enterprises in expediting expansion into new markets.
The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (SCED), Mr Algernon Yau, said, "The US has been repeatedly changing its policies, increasing tariffs within days and imposing the so-called reciprocal tariffs against Hong Kong notwithstanding that we have never implemented any tariffs. It is totally illogical and ungrounded, once again showing the US's bullying act for suppressing its competitors. I call upon the business community to unite and face the challenges together with a view to jointly counteracting the unreasonable coercion of the US. Further to the Policy Address initiative on increasing the maximum indemnity percentage of the ECIC to 95 per cent, the three enhanced measures introduced by the ECIC will help accelerate Hong Kong enterprises' expansion into new and diversified markets."
To support Hong Kong enterprises (especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs)) in coping with the current challenges, the ECIC will, with immediate effect, introduce three enhanced measures, including (1) extend the free pre-shipment cover for holders of the Small Business Policy (SBP) which is tailor-made for the SMEs until June 30, 2026; (2) offer a 50 per cent discount on pre-shipment risks to cover premiums for non-SBP holders; and (3) reduce the premium rates for new markets to be in line with those for traditional major markets to reduce the costs and support exporters in tapping into the ASEAN market.
Since the US's announcement of the so-called reciprocal tariffs last week, the SCED has separately met with the representatives of major local chambers of commerce, SME associations, and representatives of industries that are more affected by the tariffs (including jewellery, textiles and garment, food and aluminium industries) to listen to their views and discuss measures in response to the incident. The CEDB will continue to maintain close liaison with the business community to jointly respond to the unreasonable coercion of the US and provide support to the SMEs through various funding schemes and support measures, including the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme and the Dedicated Fund on Branding, Upgrading and Domestic Sales, etc in managing cash flow, enhancing competitiveness and expanding into more diversified markets.
Government steps up support for enterprises in coping with US tariffs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government steps up support for enterprises in coping with US tariffs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government steps up support for enterprises in coping with US tariffs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Government steps up support for enterprises in coping with US tariffs Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
