The Chairman of the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC), Dr Anthony Francis Neoh, inspected the passing-out parade for 34 probationary inspectors and 222 recruit constables at the Hong Kong Police College today (February 16).

     Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Neoh said that this year marks the 175th anniversary of the Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong has remained one of the safest and most stable cities in the world. The number of crimes in the city even dropped to a new low last year. He attributed these to the professional training of the Hong Kong Police College and the Force’s commitment to serve the community.

     Dr Neoh pointed out that as the society is rapidly changing with increasing public expectations, Force members inevitably face with a growing number of challenges. He added that the IPCC and the Force share the same goal of enhancing the service quality of the Force. The IPCC had put forward recommendations to improve police work from time to time.

     Dr Neoh hoped the graduates would be able to gain public confidence in the Force, be compassionate to others, always abide by the law and discharge duties in accordance with the law so as to serve the community and maintain law and order of the city.

        

     Police advise motorists that special traffic arrangements will be implemented in Sha Tin to facilitate the race meeting tomorrow (February 17).

     The arrangements will come into effect two hours before the start of the first race and will last until the crowds have dispersed after the race meeting.

     Appropriate traffic signs will be put up and police will be on hand to guide motorists.

     The Police also appeal to people going to Sha Tin Racecourse for the race meeting and to Happy Valley Racecourse for cross betting to make maximum use of public transport.

     Parking spaces at the two racecourses are available only to holders of appropriate permits issued by Hong Kong Jockey Club and any vehicles illegally parked will be towed away.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
 
     During the winter surge, the Hospital Authority is closely monitoring the service demand of Accident and Emergency Departments and the occupancy rate in public hospitals. Key service statistics are being issued daily for public information. Details are in the appended table.

     Mission to New Arrivals Limited has been issued a Public Subscription Permit to hold a territory-wide flag sale from 7am to 12.30pm today (February 16), a spokesman for the Social Welfare Department (SWD) said. 

     For enquiries, please call the SWD's hotline at 2343 2255, or the designated hotline of the 1823 Call Centre at 3142 2678. Information on flag days is available at the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_whatsnew) and the GovHK portal (www.gov.hk/en/theme/fundraising/search). Permits for flag days containing contact information of the flag-selling organisations and information on the approved flag-selling activities have also been uploaded to the SWD's website (www.swd.gov.hk/en/index/site_pubsvc/page_controlofc/sub_recentlyap). For enquiries about the detailed flag-selling arrangements, please contact the individual flag-selling organisations.

     Details of the charitable fund-raising activities covered by the Public Subscription Permit issued by the SWD have also been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/fundraising).

     In the case of suspected fraudulent flag day activities, people should not make any donation and should immediately report the matter to the Police, the spokesman added.

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of 6 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $2.87 million at the Hong Kong International Airport and Sheung Wan on February 11.

     Customs officers inspected a parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Germany at the Hong Kong International Airport on February 11 and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside cakes. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested two men, aged 47 and 17, suspected to be in connection with the case in Kwun Tong and Kwai Chung respectively on February 13. Customs officers escorted the 17-year-old man to a residential premises in Kwai Chung where a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized.

     Also, Customs officers inspected a parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Germany on February 11 in Sheung Wan and seized 3 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside cakes. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 19-year-old man and a 21-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Happy Valley on February 13. Customs officers escorted the 19-year-old man to a residential premises nearby where a small amount of suspected cannabis, a batch of drug-inhaling apparatus and drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized.

     Investigations are ongoing. The 47-year-old man and 21-year-old man have been released on bail pending further investigation. The 17-year-old man was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the 19-year-old man was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the smoking of a dangerous drug. They will appear respectively at Kowloon City Magistrates Courts and Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 16).

     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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).