Trio Held Over Bid To 'smuggle Out' A Face Mask

A district councillor, his assistant, and an inmate at the Lai Chi Kok Reception Centre were arrested on Wednesday – for allegedly trying to smuggle out a single surgical facemask issued to the prisoner.

The trio are accused of breaching a law that prohibits anyone from taking “unauthorised articles” from a prison – which can result in a maximum penalty of three years behind bars.

Police say the councillor, who’s 24-years-old, was meeting with the inmate as part of his official duties, for the first time.

The 39-year-old prisoner is said to have handed over the single mask, inside a bag, to the councillor, who allegedly then tried to leave with it.

Police say they are still looking into a possible motive, but noted that some people have previously raised concerns over the quality of surgical masks handed out to inmates.