Seven seafood stall operators were found selling crabs tied up with excessive weeds in January. They were suspected to have committed offences under the Weights and Measures Ordinance.

Officers of the Customs and Excise Department purchased the crabs in the guise of customers at various marketplaces in Tuen Mun, Sheung Shui, Mong Kok and Kwun Tong on several occasions in January.

After the transactions, the officers revealed their identities and checked the purchased items with electronic scales. They suspected that the net weight of the crabs, which were tied up with excessive weeds, was short of the purporting weight.

According to the examination results of the Government Laboratory, the net weight of the crabs was less than the purporting weight. The differences ranged from 13 per cent to 47 per cent.

Investigations are continuing, and Customs officers will prosecute the seven seafood stall operators.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (February 5) said that Customs officers would continue to take stringent enforcement actions against short weight activities to protect consumer interest and to uphold a fair trading environment.

Under the Weights and Measures Ordinance, any person who in the course of trade supplies goods to another person by weight or measure, should supply the goods in net weight or net measure. Any shortage of quantity purporting to be supplied is an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $10,000.

Photo shows the crab purchased by officers of the Customs and Excise Department in a marketplace in Mong Kok in January. According to the examination results of the Government Laboratory, the net weight of the crab was less than the purporting weight. The difference was nearly 47 per cent.

Ends/Tuesday, February 5, 2008