Hong Kong Customs today (January 16) seized about 140 000 suspected illicit heat-not-burn (HNB) products in Sheung Shui, with an estimated market value of about $400,000 and a duty potential of about $270,000.

     During an anti-illicit cigarette operation in Sheung Shui in the early hours today, Customs officers intercepted two men and four women and found the batch of suspected illicit HNB products in their personal baggage.

     The six persons, aged between 23 and 40, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds members of the public that under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO), tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any HNB products containing tobacco in content are also dutiable goods subject to the control of the DCO. Any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.

     Members of the public may call the Customs' hotline at 2815 7711 to enquire whether a specific tobacco or smoking product is under the regulation of the DCO. They may also report any suspected violation of the DCO to Customs' 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     Anticipating that the sale of counterfeit goods would become more frequent during the Lunar New Year holiday, Hong Kong Customs has stepped up inspections and enforcement starting last week with a view to combating different kinds of counterfeit goods activities in town.

     Customs officers conducted special operations in Sham Shui Po and Tai Po yesterday (January 15) and seized about 6 900 items of suspected counterfeit goods, including red packets, toys and stationery with an estimated market value of about $170,000.

     Customs earlier conducted inspections in various districts and detected the sale of counterfeit goods at some shops and fixed-pitch hawker stalls in Sham Shui Po and Tai Po. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers yesterday took enforcement action and raided a number of shops and hawker stalls selling counterfeit goods in the two districts. An upstairs storage centre in Sham Shui Po was also raided, with a batch of suspected counterfeit goods seized.

     During the operation, two men and three women, aged between 27 and 56, were arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt.

     Customs also reminds traders to be cautious and prudent in their merchandising since the sale of counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.

     Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells, or possesses for sale, any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

     Under the Copyright Ordinance, the maximum penalty for any person who sells or possesses an infringing copy of a copyright work with a view to selling it is a fine of $50,000 per infringing copy and imprisonment for four years upon conviction.

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

  

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     As at noon today (January 16), public hospitals had reported to the Department of Health (DH) the admission of two patients in the past 24 hours who have been to Wuhan in the past 14 days and presented with fever, respiratory infection or pneumonia symptoms.
 
     Specimens of the patients concerned have been sent to the DH for testing. Currently, there are six patients still under isolation and in stable condition. There are currently no patients being confirmed for infection of novel coronavirus in public hospitals.
 

 
     The HA will maintain close contact with the Centre for Health Protection to monitor the latest developments and to inform the public and healthcare workers on the latest information in a timely manner.
 

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The increase in demand for blood transfusions since the commencement of the winter surge has caused blood stocks to run low in public hospitals. The Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service (BTS) appeals to the public today (January 16) to donate blood for patients in need before the Chinese New Year holidays.
 
     As a token of thanks, all those providing successful blood donations (till January 24) will receive a 'Red Packet Pouch Set' while stocks last. The set contains eight red packets and two red packet pouches.
 
     Most BTS donor centres are open during the Chinese New Year holidays, except on January 25. A 'CNY Goodies Bag' will be given to every donor who gives blood during January 26-28 while stocks last. For details, please refer to the annex, or visit www.ha.org.hk/rcbts, or check the mobile app 'HK Blood' for more details.
 
     Please donate blood now.
 
     Download 'HK Blood' to locate the nearest donor centre and make an appointment for donation:
IOS:itunes.apple.com/hk/app/hk-blood/id1387423207?mt=8
Android:play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hk.org.ha.btsmapps&rdid=hk.org.ha.btsmapps

    

     The Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, today (January 16) welcomed the publication of the annual report of the Process Review Panel (PRP) for the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) which covers the work of the PRP in 2018-19.
 
     "Last year, the PRP has again conducted a comprehensive review of the internal processes and procedures of the SFC through selected cases. In its annual report, the PRP has made a number of observations and recommendations which are conducive to the fair and consistent exercise of the regulatory powers by the SFC. The work of the PRP has contributed to enhancing the transparency and accountability of the SFC," Mr Chan said.
 
     "I would like to thank the Chairman, Mr Lawrence Lee, the non-official members and ex-officio members of the PRP for their valuable contribution in the past year," he added. 
 
     The PRP is an independent panel established by the Chief Executive to review the internal operational procedures of the SFC and to determine whether the SFC has followed its internal procedures for ensuring fairness and consistency.