XN000022-1991-02-08 — Page 2

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1991

HEFTY PENALTIES FOR SMUGGLERS

* * *

PEOPLE INVOLVED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN SMUGGLING

ACTIVITIES

WILL BE SUBJECT TO HEFTY PENALTIES UNDER NEW LEGISLATION PROPOSED THE GOVERNMENT.

BY

IMPORT AND EXPORT THE PENALTIES ARE PROVIDED FOR UNDER THE

GAZETTE TODAY THE GOVERNMENT 1991 BILL

PUBLISHED IN { AMENDMENT}

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (FRIDAY) AND WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO FEBRUARY 27.

ON

ABILITY IN

THE PURPOSE OF THE BILL IS TO ENHANCE THE GOVERNMENT'S

THE BILL ENABLES THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST SMUGGLING. COUNCIL TO MAKE REGULATIONS REGARDING THE CARRIAGE OF CERTAIN ARTICLES IN HONG KONG WATERS TO CONTROL SMUGGLING.

AND

CONTRAVENTION OF THE VARIOUS OFFENCES COVERED BY THE BILL

PENALTY OF TWO EACH CARRY A MAXIMUM SUBSEQUENT REGULATIONS WOULD YEARS' IMPRISONMENT AND A FINE OF $500,000,

A

SPOKESMAN GOVERNMENT

THE SAID FOLLOWING

ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES BY THE DIRECTOR OF MARINE IN PREVENT THE USE OF HIGH-POWERED SPEEDBOATS FOR SMUGGLING, THE LICENCES OF 97 PLEASURE VESSELS AND 11 MISCELLANEOUS CRAFT WERE THE PERIOD UP TO THE END OF JANUARY.

INTRODUCTION OF MAY 1990 TO

CANCELLED IN

A FURTHER 121 LICENCES OF PLEASURE VESSELS WERE SUSPENDED FURTHER CONDITIONS OF LICENSING WERE IMPOSED IN 81 CASES.

AND

ADDITIONAL CONTROLS WERE INTRODUCED ON JANUARY 28 INVOLVING THE RELICENSING PHYSICAL INSPECTION OF SPEEDBOATS ON FIRST LICENSING, ON OR AT OTHER TIMES IF REQUESTED BY THE POLICE OR THE CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT.

PUBLISHED TODAY

THE

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE LEGISLATIVE MRASURES WOULD FURTHER STRENGTHEN THE GOVERNMENT'S WAR ON SMUGGLERS ACROSS BOARD.

THE

BILL MAKES IT AN OFFENCE FOR

A BOARD

VESSEL MAINTAIN, REPAIR OR BE ON CONSTRUCTED OR USED FOR SMUGGLING PURPOSES.

IT MORE

A PERSON TO CONSTRUCT,

250 THAN OF LESS

TONS

MOUNT OF 600 GALLONS PLATING

"IT WILL BE PRESUMED THAT A VESSEL IS DESIGNED FOR SMUGGLING IF HAS FEATURES SUCH AS SECRET HIDING PLACES, THE FACILITY TO THAN TWO OUTBOARD ENGINES WITH COMBINED POWER IN EXCESS HORSEPOWER, HAS FUEL TANKS SUITABLE FOR HOLDING MORE THAN 180 (817 LITRES) OF FUEL FOR USE IN OUTBOARD MOTORS OR HAS METAL SUITABLE FOR RAMMING OR ACTING AS ARMOURED PROTECTION, SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN

THE

IT WILL ALSO BECOME AN OFFENCE FOR A PERSON TO MAKE USE OF

VESSEL FOR SMUGGLING ALTERED FITTINGS, FABRIC OR STRUCTURE OF ANY PURPOSES.

/THE SPOKESMAN