The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 9) investigating a suspected food poisoning cluster affecting 15 persons, and reminded the public to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene to prevent foodborne diseases.

     The cluster involved 14 students, comprising 11 males and three females, aged 13 to 18, and one staff member of a school. They developed vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea, about three to nine hours after having dinner at a school canteen in Stanley last night (June 8). Eight of the affected persons sought medical advice and none required hospitalisation. All affected persons are in stable condition.

     Initial investigations of the CHP revealed that the affected persons consumed common food, with a higher chance of involving food poisoning. The personnel from the CHP and the Centre for Food Safety of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department visited the place for an environmental investigation, and provided preventive advice against food poisoning to the school. Investigations are ongoing.

     To prevent foodborne diseases, members of the public are reminded to maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene at all times. When dining out:
 

• Patronise only reliable and licensed restaurants;
• Avoid eating raw seafood;
• Be a discerning consumer in choosing cold dishes, including sashimi, sushi and raw oysters, at a buffet;
• Ensure food is thoroughly cooked before eating during a hotpot or barbecue meal;
• Handle raw and cooked foods carefully and separate them completely during the cooking process;
• Use two sets of chopsticks and utensils to handle raw and cooked foods;
• Do not patronise illegal food hawkers;
• Drink boiled water;
• Do not try to use salt, vinegar, wine or wasabi to kill bacteria as they are not effective; and
• Always wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet.

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs detected two illicit cigarette cases and raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage centre while conducting anti-illicit cigarette operations in Sunny Bay and Fanling yesterday (June 8). Over 1.3 million suspected illicit cigarettes in total, with an estimated market value of about $4.9 million and a duty potential of about $3.3 million, were seized.

     In the first case, Customs officers intercepted two light goods vehicles parked on the roadside of Sea Point Road in Sunny Bay yesterday afternoon. After a search, about 780 000 suspected illicit cigarettes were seized inside the two vehicles. Two men, aged 26 and 34, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested, while the two vehicles suspected to be used for storing and distributing illicit cigarettes were also detained. 

     In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a woman on Jockey Club Road in Fanling on the same afternoon and seized about 2 600 suspected illicit cigarettes inside a green shopping bag carried by her. The 44-year-old woman was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted her to a nearby subdivided unit for a search and further seized about 530 000 suspected illicit cigarettes. A suspected illicit cigarette storage centre, which is believed to be mainly used to supply illicit cigarettes to residents in the North District, was smashed successfully.

     Investigations of the two above-mentioned cases are ongoing. Customs will continue to trace the source and flow of the illicit cigarettes. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs will also continue its risk assessment and intelligence analysis for interception at source as well as through its multi-pronged enforcement strategy targeting storage, distribution and peddling to spare no effort in combating illicit cigarette activities.

     Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, anyone involved in dealing with, possession of, selling or buying illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

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

    

     â€‹Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 8) detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2 million. An incoming man was arrested.

     A 38-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside the false compartment of his checked-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

  The Reporting Centre of the Complaints Against Police Office (CAPO) currently located on G/F, Annex Block, Caine House, 3 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai will cease operation from June 12. If members of the public wish to lodge a complaint to CAPO in person, they may make an appointment through the complaint hotline at 2866 7700.

     Other complaint channels will remain unchanged, including:

• Attend the report room of any police station;
• Call the complaint hotline at 2866 7700 or by fax to 2200 4460 or 2200 4461;
• By post to the Complaints Against Police Office, Police Headquarters, 1 Arsenal Street, Wan Chai; and
• Use the "Complaint Against Police e-Report form" on the Hong Kong Police Website (www.police.gov.hk) or "e-Report Centre" of the Hong Kong Police Mobile App.

​     The Water Supplies Department announced today (June 9) that the urgent repair works at Tai Kok Tsui Customer Enquiry Centre have been completed. The centre will resume operations on June 12.