Vehicle owner convicted for refusing to cooperate with EPD's investigation of illegal waste disposal case
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An EPD spokesman said that the department installed a surveillance camera system at Kam Pok Road in Yuen Long to combat illegal disposal of waste. The surveillance system recorded that a light goods vehicle driver illegally disposed of waste last April. The EPD traced the light goods vehicle owner according to the car plate number recorded by the surveillance system. The department then issued a notice to the vehicle owner and requested him to provide the contact information of the driver involved. As the vehicle owner refused to co-operate with the EPD, the department subsequently prosecuted him in accordance with the WDO.
According to Section 23B of the WDO, anyone who fails to provide information as required by the authority without reasonable excuse commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000. The spokesman urged the public to make a report to the EPD if they witness illegal waste disposal. EPD staff will conduct an investigation according to the information provided, such as a car plate number. The registered owners of the vehicle involved may be prosecuted if they refused to provide information for enforcement purposes on the drivers or people involved.
The spokesman reminded members of the transportation and logistics sectors not to dispose of waste illegally as they would be liable to prosecution by the EPD. According to the WDO, first-time offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and six months' imprisonment. A maximum fine of $500,000 and six months' imprisonment may be imposed on the second or subsequent convictions.
Ends/Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Issued at HKT 18:25
Issued at HKT 18:25
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