China Concrete Company Fined $212,000 for Illegal Cement Operations and Air Pollution Violations

Concrete batching plants in Yau Tong convicted for violating Air Pollution Control Ordinance

​Two concrete batching plants (CBPs) of China Concrete Company Limited located at 20 and 22 Tung Yuen Street, Yau Tong, were charged with conducting illegal cement works without a valid specified process (SP) licence and failing to comply with an air pollution abatement notice served, contravening the Air Pollution Control Ordinance (APCO). The company pleaded guilty to 28 summonses at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Court today (April 7) and was fined a total of $212,000.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said that the department has been making unremitting efforts to follow up on the illegal operations of the two CBPs. To date, the EPD has issued a total of 39 summonses for criminal prosecution against the company, with 30 charges successfully convicted so far, while the remaining nine cases of non-compliance are still in process.

Moreover, new amendments to the APCO, taking effect on April 11, empower the Director of Environmental Protection to issue a closure notice to premises if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that unlicensed SP operations are taking place. The amended APCO has proven decisive in addressing the illegal operations by the two CBPs. The EPD has received a notification from the China Concrete Company Limited earlier indicating that they will cease all operations of the concrete batching process and related operations by early April. The EPD has been closely monitoring the situation, and its latest observations revealed that the two CBPs will cease operation.

The spokesperson added, "The EPD will continue to closely monitor the situation. Should the two CBPs be found to continue the unlicensed operations after the amended APCO takes effect, the department will take stringent action in accordance with the law."

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine worth about $4 million at airport

​Hong Kong Customs today (April 10) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 20 kilograms of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $4 million.

A 31-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine inside her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

The investigation is ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not 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.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

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.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).