Hong Kong Customs revealed on 23 July that three male passengers were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport over two consecutive days for attempting to smuggle 5.4 kg of cocaine and 14 kg of methamphetamine with a street value of HK$11 million. Separately, the Immigration Department said it detained three suspected illegal renovation workers and two employers during a two-day raid at a newly occupied housing estate in Tung Chung. The dual operations illustrate Hong Kong’s stepped-up border and workplace enforcement ahead of next week’s influx of travellers for the city’s summer sales season. Customs officers noted that the narcotics were concealed in false-bottom suitcases arriving from South America via Doha, reinforcing patterns seen in April’s HK$20 million haul. For mobility managers, the heightened scrutiny translates into longer arrival processing times, especially at the Green Channel. Companies relocating staff should factor in possible delays when scheduling same-day Hong Kong ID registrations. Employers in the facilities-management and construction sectors face increased risk assessments; the Immigration Department is targeting renovation sites for spot checks under the ‘‘Don’t employ illegal workers’’ campaign. Failure to conduct proper right-to-work checks can attract fines of up to HK$350,000 and three years’ imprisonment. HR teams should keep copies of travel documents and valid visas on site and ensure contractor compliance, especially with short-term labour hired for office refits during the holiday lull.
Source: The Standard – Morning Recap
