Customs update guidelines as Art 23 law takes effect

Commissioner of Customs and Excise Louise Ho on Wednesday said the department is updating its guidelines now that Article 23 national security legislation has come into effect. At a press conference summing up the department's work in the last year, Ho said staff have always carried out their duty to safeguard national security. "After the enactment of the new law, Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, we need to update the internal guidelines on how to perform our duties in this regard," she said. "We will also provide training to our frontline officers so that they have a thorough understanding of the new powers provided under the new ordinance." Meanwhile, Ho said the department dealt with more than 19,100 cases in 2023 with over 60 percent related to illicit cigarettes. There were more cases related to drugs, money laundering and copyright infringement, she added. Ho said officers arrested a total of 15,589 people and seized goods worth over HK$10.5 billion.