Police today (March 13) appealed to the public for information on a man who went missing in Sham Shui Po. Lee Kwong, aged 89, went missing after he left an elderly home on Yee Kuk Street on… read more
As a result of swift action and extensive investigations, Hong Kong Customs in recent months smashed two supply and sale chains of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description and toxic methanol content. A total of 20 persons, including suppliers, persons-in-charge and salespersons of the pharmacies, were arrested from late February to today (March 13). During the operations, 284 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description were seized. A dual-approach investigation according to the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO) and the Consumer Goods Safety Ordinance (CGSO) is underway.
Customs earlier received information alleging the sale of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false description on its composition at a pharmacy in Tuen Mun. Customs officers were then deployed for immediate action to test-purchase a type of disinfectant alcohol labelled as “75% ethanol” and “1 litre” at a shop of the pharmacy group involved. Test results revealed that the disinfectant alcohol concerned consists of less than 0.1 per cent of ethanol, while its methanol content reaches 52 per cent. The test also revealed that its net volume was only 737 millilitres. According to the test results, the product involved was suspected to be in contravention of the TDO and the CGSO.
Noting the test results, Customs conducted immediate enforcement action on the following day (February 21) and searched the pharmacy group’s office and its 20 branches across the territory. A total of 236 retail spots in various districts were also searched concurrently. During the operation on that day, a total of 174 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false description on its composition were seized at the branches, with arrests of a director and six salespersons of the pharmacy group.
After an in-depth investigation, Customs conducted a series of arrest operations between the end of February and today. Five directors of the pharmacy group as well as three primary suppliers were further arrested. The entire supply and sale chain of disinfectant alcohol with a suspected false trade description and toxic methanol content has been smashed. The 15 arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.
In another case, Customs test-purchased a type of antibacterial disinfectant labelled as containing “75% ethanol” and claims of complying with the relevant national standard at a pharmacy in Fanling. Test results revealed that the antibacterial disinfectant concerned consisted of 69 per cent of ethanol and was mixed with 8.2 per cent of methanol content. The product was put on sale in transparent plastic bottles labelled as 500 ml but the test revealed that the net volume was only 478 ml.
Customs noted the test results on March 2 and conducted immediate enforcement action on the same day. A total of 110 bottles of disinfectant alcohol with suspected false descriptions on composition and toxic methanol content were seized at four targeted pharmacies. A director and three pharmacy salespersons were arrested. Customs officers also inspected a total of 314 retail spots in various districts on March 2 and arrested the person-in-charge of a trading company in Kwun Tong two days later who supplied the relevant product to the pharmacies in connection with the case. The five arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. Including this case, Customs has consecutively smashed two supply and sale chains of disinfectant alcohol suspected of violating relevant ordinances in less than a month.
Customs said the two cases share four common features: (1) swift action – immediate test-purchases were conducted after receiving information and immediate actions were taken after noting the test results; (2) extensiveness – apart from targeted search operations on relevant shops, large-scale territory-wide inspections were also conducted concurrently to stop the sale of suspected illegal products in the market; (3) cutting off the source of supply – operations were carried out at retail spots in the beginning and then the investigation scope was proceeded upstream to cover the entire supply and sale chain; (4) dual-approach investigation – the two cases were investigated according to the TDO and the CGSO.
The department has passed the disinfectant alcohol seized in the cases to the Government Laboratory for further examination.
The series of operations is part of the “Guardian” operation, which has been running for 46 days as of yesterday (March 12) since its launch on January 27. More than 3 200 officers have been mobilised to conduct over 22 000 inspections at retail spots in various districts to ensure that common protective items sold in the market comply with the TDO and the CGSO.
Apart from that, Customs has also conducted spot checks, test purchases and inspections in various districts on surgical masks available in the market. More than 90 samples have been test-purchased. The first two batches of 40 samples in total passed the tests on bacterial counts in February, while the test results of the third batch of 20 samples also revealed compliance with the bacterial count standard.
Customs also test-purchased over 10 samples of alcohol-based hand rubs available in the market and have conducted tests for the 10 samples on heavy metals and bacterial counts. All samples comply with safety requirements and no violations of the CGSO have yet been found. The department will continue to make prompt public updates if irregularities are detected.
The “Guardian” operation is ongoing. Customs will continue to take a speedy and holistic approach to suppress the supply and sale chains of anti-epidemic items violating relevant ordinances. read more
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Twilight” and “Greenlane” from March 9 to yesterday (March 12). A total of 17 suspected illegal workers and 11 suspected employers were arrested.
During the operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 72 target locations including car parks, a company, a food factory, a fruit store, a garbage collection depot, industrial buildings, a manicure shop, a park, residential buildings, restaurants, stores and a warehouse. The suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and eight women, aged 21 to 53. Among them, four men were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. In addition, three men and five women were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Furthermore, a man was suspected of using and being in possession of a false instrument. Meanwhile, nine men and two women, aged 29 to 53, were suspected of employing the suspected illegal workers.
“Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties,” an ImmD spokesman said.
The spokesman warned that, as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months’ imprisonment should be applied in such cases. It is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years’ imprisonment. It is an offence to use or possess any false instrument or make false representation to an Immigration Officer. Offenders are liable to prosecution, and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for up to 14 years.
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years and a fine of $350,000. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence. According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee’s identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker’s valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. The maximum penalty for failing to inspect such a document is imprisonment for one year and a fine of $150,000.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct initial screenings of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter, temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (March 13) closely monitoring one additional case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by Qatar. The CHP again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit.
According to the WHO, the case involved a 65-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Doha. Before the onset of symptoms, the patient had a history of close contact with camels.
According to the WHO, Qatar has reported 23 cases (including the patient reported above) since 2012.
“We will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities,” a spokesman for the CHP said.
“As countries in the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, continue to report MERS cases from time to time, travellers should refrain from going to farms, barns or markets with camels and avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry. Most of the cases reported in the Middle East had a history of exposure to camels, consumption of camel milk or contact with other MERS patients,” the spokesman said.
“Scientific evidence shows that camels are reservoirs for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus may also be found in the raw organs and meat of infected animals. Therefore, the best protection is to practise good hygiene and avoid direct contact with all of these,” the spokesman added.
From time to time, suspected MERS cases reported to the CHP for investigation involve patients with a history of contact with camels in the Middle East. The CHP strongly advises travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV.
Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS page of the CHP and its Travel Health Service to learn more about MERS statistics in affected areas. The public should also refer to the CHP’s Facebook page and YouTube channel and the WHO’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more
Police will implement special traffic arrangements in various districts to facilitate grave sweepers, and to ensure smooth vehicular traffic movements and pedestrian safety during Ching Ming Festival. Hong Kong Island ———-… read more