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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1993
* CONSTRUCTION AND 50
ON
OF VESSELS FOR THE PURPOSES OF
SMUGGLING;
* ASSISTING IN THE COMMISSION OF INDICTABLE SMUGGLING OFFENCES;
LEFT-
* THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF SPECIFIED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY
HAND DRIVE VEHICLES AND POWERFUL OUTBOARD ENGINES) EXCEPT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE;
* THE EXPORT OF PRESCRIBED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY TELEVISION SETS AND VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS AND PLAYERS) ON VESSELS OF LESS THAN 250 GROSS TONS EXCEPT UNDER AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH A LICENCE; AND
* THE CARRIAGE OF PRESCRIBED ARTICLES (CURRENTLY TELEVISION SETS, VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDERS, VIDEO CASSETTE PLAYERS AIR CONDITIONERS, REFRIGERATORS, VEHICLES/VEHICLE PARTS AND POWERFUL OUTBOARD ENGINES) IN HONG KONG WATERS.
COMMENTING ON THE BILL, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID ALTHOUGH THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-SMUGGLING MEASURES HAD ACHIEVED CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS, THE SITUATION REMAINED SERIOUS.
THERE WAS A NEED FOR HIGHER PENALTIES FOR MORE SERIOUS OFFENCES AND TO ACT AS A DETERRENT.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE GOVERNMENT HAD TAKEN ACTION ON THREE FRONTS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM.
"LEGISLATION WAS ENACTED IN 1991 TO CURB THE CONSTRUCTION AND USE OF HIGH-POWERED SPEEDBOATS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR SMUGGLING AND TO CONTROL THE EXPORT AND CARRIAGE BY SMALL VESSELS OF POPULAR CONTRABAND ITEMS.
"IN 1992, CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED ON THE IMPORT AND EXPORT OF LEFT-HAND DRIVE VEHICLES AND HIGH-POWERBED OUTBOARD ENGINES.
"IN 1993, THE PENALTY FOR CAR THEFT UNDER THE CRIMES WAS INCREASED FROM THREE TO SEVEN YEARS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
ליו
ON THE ENFORCEMENT FRONT, THE SPOKESMAN POINTED 1991, AN ANTI-SMUGGLING TASK FORCE INVOLVING THE POLICE WITH SUPPORT FROM HEADQUARTERS, BRITISH FORCES WAS SET VIGOROUS AND SUSTAINED ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATIONS,
OUT
ORDINANCE
THAT IN AND CUSTOMS UP TO MOUNT
ALSO, CO-OPERATION AND SHARING OF INTELLIGENCE SECURITY FORCES HAD BEEN STEPPED UP.
WITH CHINESE
"BUT AS LONG AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HUGE PROFITS REMAINS, SMUGGLING IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE AT HIGH LEVELS. EVERY EFFORT SHOULD THEREFORE BE MADE TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
"
THE BILL IS SCHEDULED TO BE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 17, 1993.
0
—
INTRODUCED
INTO THE
LEGISLATIVE
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