Govt Vows To Tackle Parallel Trading

Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk said the government has a plan in place to tackle parallel trading when quarantine-free travel with the mainland resumes on Sunday.

Writing on Facebook after chairing an inter-departmental meeting on Thursday, Cheuk said immigration officials will set up a watchlist of suspected parallel traders, and may ban anyone suspected to be involved from entering Hong Kong.

Officials will beef up inspection of black spots in North District, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun, and prevent parallel goods traders from obstructing roads.

Cheuk also said Customs officers will step up enforcement against outbound travellers exporting controlled drugs at border control points without a licence.

"It is normal for people to bring a few boxes of painkillers. But if a traveller's entire suitcase is filled with painkillers, it is clear that they are not for personal use. In this case, we will take law enforcement action," Deputy Customs Commissioner Chan Tsz-tat said after he inspected the Lok Ma Chau checkpoint on Friday.

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