​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 20) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 7 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million.

     A female passenger, aged 39, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in her carry-on baggage. The woman was subsequently arrested.

     An 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 to 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).

     The Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) held the “Junior Police Call (JPC) Award Scheme 2025 Gold Award Presentation Ceremony” today (March 21) to commend JPC members who have actively participated in activities and demonstrated outstanding performance over the past year.

     Addressing the ceremony, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Chow Yat-ming, said that the HKPF, as the pillar for maintaining social order and serving the community, is committed to fostering youth development through diversified and in-depth activities of the JPC Award Scheme. These activities include foot drill and flag-raising training, exchange tours to the Mainland, and adventure-based challenges, all aimed at guiding the younger generation to step out of their comfort zones and broaden their horizons. He noted that many JPC members have become proactive, confident, and able to demonstrate leadership potential after participating in the activities.

     Mr Chow expressed his gratitude to various sectors of the community, schools, parents and members for their staunch support over the years. He made particular note of the JPC Central Advisory Board, honorary presidents from various districts and JPC partners for their selfless contributions in all aspects, which have enabled the JPC to pursue excellence and offer young people a broader range of diverse activities and training opportunities. He added that the HKPF will continue, through the JPC, to bring together different sectors of the community to nurture capable talents of tomorrow.

     Mr Chow concluded by encouraging the award-winning members to continue upholding a spirit of perseverance and endeavour, while pursuing continuous learning and self-improvement to become pillars of the country and Hong Kong, contributing to society.

     A total of 6 257 JPC members participated in this year’s award scheme, achieving a record of 1 432 award recipients. Among them, 153 received the Gold Award, 384 received the Silver Award, and 895 received the Bronze Award. The ceremony also recognised JPC school clubs from various districts for their efforts in promoting anti-deception awareness and education on safeguarding national security.

     The “JPC New Strategy – IDEAS@JPC” was launched in 2022. In “IDEAS”, “I” stands for Innovation, “D” for Discipline, “E” for Exposure, “A” for Adventure, and “S” for Synergy. The award scheme, themed around “IDEAS”, has introduced new activities such as the Junior Police Call Innovation and Technology Competition and innovation and technology cultural exchange tours, including a visit to Jiuquan to witness a satellite launch and a trip to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to learn about desert control projects. Members can accumulate points by participating in activities, and upon meeting specific standards, they will be awarded the Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards and certificates as recognition. For details about the scheme, please visit the dedicated webpage: www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/16_jpc/jpc_award_scheme.html.

     The Walk for Living Water Charity Walkathon and Carnival, jointly organised by the Water Supplies Department, the Amity Foundation, Hong Kong, and the Love Foundation, was held today (March 21) at the Central and Western District Promenade (Central Section). Echoing the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation organised by the Ministry of Water Resources, the event attracted over 1 000 members of the public, students and representatives from various sectors.

     Speaking at the kick-off ceremony, the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Ricky Lau, said that this year marked Hong Kong’s first participation as a sub-venue of the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation, demonstrating Hong Kong’s proactive integration into the country’s overall development and its determination to support the country in promoting sustainable water resource management. He pointed out that climate change poses an unprecedented challenge for everyone. Hong Kong must stay vigilant and make early preparations to enhance the city’s resilience in fresh water supply and at the same time, deepen the culture of water conservation and promote a social consensus on cherishing water resources. He added that the Development Bureau is making proactive efforts to align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan by deepening regional collaboration, including a joint formulation of the first Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme that is applicable to the Greater Bay Area. This will leverage Hong Kong’s international platform with a view to helping Mainland water-related industry connect with the global markets. 

     The Director of Water Supplies, Mr Roger Wong, said that the country has organised the National Publicity Tour for Water Conservation to promote water conservation and protection through diversified publicity efforts and public participation, with a view to implementing the water governance principle of “prioritising water conservation”. He said that with the strong support of the country, a stable supply of Dongjiang water to Hong Kong over six decades was guaranteed. However, Dongjiang water is not inexhaustible. He stressed that cherishing water resources is not only an expression of gratitude for the country’s support, but also a commitment to future generations. He called on members of the public to cultivate good water use habits in their daily lives, and bring a water-saving culture into families and communities. 
     
     Today’s event also echoed the United Nations World Water Day, which will take place tomorrow (March 22), featuring an experiential walkathon in which participants carried shoulder poles with buckets filled with water and completed a designated route. Participants gained first-hand experience of the daily challenges faced by people in water-scarce regions in fetching water, and appreciated the preciousness of water resources and aroused public awareness of the importance of water conservation through the activity. The carnival also featured a water resources thematic exhibition and more than 40 game booths to enhance public awareness of water conservation.

     Other officiating guests at today’s event included Executive Council Member, Dr Lam Ching-choi; the Chairman of the Amity Foundation, Hong Kong, the Reverend Eric So; and the Chairman of the Love Foundation, Ms Agnes Chiang.

     Funds raised at the event will be donated to the Amity Foundation to support the provision of water supply and sanitation facilities for rural communities and schools in remote mountainous areas on the Mainland and in developing countries, with a view to improving local living conditions.