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In response to press enquiries, a spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (April 4):
A non-civil aircraft, suspected to be a controlled item, has been impounded by Customs for investigation.
The aircraft consisted of incomplete parts and had no engine. It did not carry any weapon.
On April 2, Customs officers found in a container which had arrived from Ukraine a non-civil aircraft. The container was destined for the US via Hong Kong.
Initial investigations showed that the aircraft had been duly declared in the manifest, but was not covered by an import licence.
So far, there is no indication that the shipment was connected with smuggling.
Investigations are continuing. The case will be handled in accordance with Hong Kong laws.
The spokesman said that Hong Kong had in place a comprehensive and stringent licensing control system for the import, export and transshipment of strategic commodities. The scope of items subject to licensing control was set out in the Schedules to the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations of the Import and Export Ordinance, Cap. 60, Laws of Hong Kong.
He said that an effective control system could safeguard the use of advanced technology for legitimate commercial and research use, which is essential to economic, trade and financial development.
The maximum penalty for anyone on summary conviction under the Import and Export (Strategic Commodities) Regulations is a fine of $500,000 and two years' imprisonment.
Ends/Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:18
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