Hong Kong Customs and the Police today (June 3) conducted a joint operation to combat the illegal import of strategic commodities. A batch of strategic commodities, including 14 gas masks and eight filter canisters, suspected to be imported without a valid licence was seized in Tai Po and Tai Wai. Two persons were arrested.
Law enforcement agencies earlier received information alleging the sale of suspected illegally imported strategic commodities on the Internet. After investigation, Customs and the Police conducted a joint enforcement operation today and seized a batch of strategic commodities suspected to be imported without a valid licence, including 12 gas masks and seven filter canisters, at a residential unit in Tai Po. A 27-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested. Police also seized seven imitation firearms and two walkie-talkies in the unit and follow-up action will be taken.
Later, law enforcement agencies arrested a 14-year-old male suspected to be in connection with the case in Tai Wai and seized two gas masks as well as one filter canister in his possession.
Investigation is ongoing. The two arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrests is not excluded.
Customs reminds members of the public, and youths in particular, to abide by the law. Under the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO), any person who imports or exports gas masks, filter canisters or helmets in the control list of strategic commodities under the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations without a valid import or export licence commits an offence and is liable to an unlimited fine and to imprisonment for seven years on conviction.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the IEO to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, June 3, 2021
