Hong Kong Customs and Macao Customs conducted a joint operation codenamed "Turbine II" to step up enforcement action against cross-boundary drug trafficking activities between Hong Kong and Macao from December 1 last year to yesterday (January 15). During the operation, Hong Kong Customs detected 15 outbound dangerous drug cases from Hong Kong to Macao and arrested 17 persons. A total of about 3.1 kilograms of different kinds of suspected dangerous drugs with an estimated market value of about $3.1 million were seized.

     Fifteen men and two women, aged between 16 and 47, were arrested in the cases. The seized suspected dangerous drugs included cocaine, ketamine and cannabis. 

     Of the 15 cases, three were effected at Hong Kong International Airport. Three transiting male passengers who arrived in Hong Kong, one from the United Arab Emirates and two from Ethiopia, and planned to go to Macao via the SkyPier were arrested.

     One of the passengers was found to have two check-in suitcases with about 1kg of suspected cocaine concealed inside the trolley frames. The other two cases are internal concealment cases in which two passengers have discharged a total of about 1.69kg of suspected cocaine in hospital.

     The remaining 12 cases were detected at locations including the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, the China Ferry Terminal and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and involved a small quantity of suspected dangerous drugs. The arrested persons were passengers travelling to Macao from Hong Kong.

     Hong Kong Customs has all along been intercepting drug trafficking activities at all outgoing and incoming channels. Members of the public are reminded that criminals may post recruitment advertisements on unknown websites and social media platforms to lure citizens into carrying dangerous drugs or various controlled items. They should stay alert and not carry unknown items for other people.

     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.

     Hong Kong Customs believes that the joint operation has effectively combated cross-boundary drug trafficking between Hong Kong and Macao. The department will continue to conduct joint operations with Macao Customs in order to deter drug trafficking activities between the two places.

     Hong Kong Customs will continue stringent law enforcement at every boundary control point to combat cross-boundary trafficking activities involving dangerous drugs.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Hong Kong Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

      

     Hong Kong Customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) mounted a joint operation yesterday (January 15) and seized about 502 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $390,000 from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected a container arriving in Hong Kong from Sri Lanka for inspection and found the batch of suspected scheduled shark fins inside the container.

     The AFCD is following up on the case.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against different kinds of smuggling activities during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Government Gazette published on November 1, 2019, contains a Legal Notice to the effect that the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury has authorised a change in the rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates. From January 17, 2020, the new annual rate of interest will be 0.3667 per cent against the current rate of 0.25 per cent, i.e. the new rate will be $0.0306 per month per $100.

     Tax Reserve Certificates bear simple interest and interest is calculated monthly (including part of a month) from the date of purchase to the date of payment of tax.

     Interest is only credited when certificates are used to pay tax and no interest is due where the principal value of a certificate is repaid to its holder.

     The rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates is periodically revised in line with the market trend. Currently, it is reviewed every month based on the average prevailing interest rate for the twelve-month time deposit for $100,000 to $499,999 offered by the three note-issuing banks. 

     The new rate will apply to all certificates purchased on or after January 17, 2020. Certificates purchased before January 17, 2020, will continue to earn interest at the rates prevailing on their respective purchase dates. More interest rate information can be found on the Inland Revenue Department website (www.ird.gov.hk). The public can also obtain a copy of the Tax Reserve Certificate Interest Rate Table from the 24-hour information hotline at 1878033. Below is a summary of the interest rates for the past periods:
 

 
     This is always subject to the general rule that interest ceases to accrue after 36 complete months.

     Hongkong Post announced today (January 16) the postal service arrangements for the Lunar New Year holidays from January 25 to 28. No mail delivery will be provided and all post offices will be closed, except for the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office, which will open on January 28 from noon to 5pm and 10am to 3pm respectively. Details of the services available will be advertised at the respective post offices. In accordance with the usual practice, mail posted on the public holidays will be processed on the next working day.
               
     On January 25, the first day of Lunar New Year, one mail collection will be made for the posting boxes of the General Post Office, Kowloon Central Post Office and Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office. On January 28, one mail collection will be made for the posting boxes of the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office.
 
     For more information, customers may visit Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk or contact the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 16) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.