Six seafood stall operators allegedly selling crabs tied with excessive weeds will be prosecuted under the Weights and Measures Ordinance.

After initiating prosecution against seven seafood stall operators for supplying short-weight crabs early this year, officers of the Customs and Excise Department continued to crack down on this malpractice.

Acting as customers, the officers purchased crabs in various marketplaces in Tuen Mun, Lau Fau Shan, Sheung Shui, Lei Yue Mun and North Point several times in February and March.

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 allegedly less than the purporting weight. The differences ranged from 27% to 51%.

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

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department today (March 31) said that Customs officers would continue to take stringent enforcement action against short weight activities to protect consumer interest and uphold a fair trading environment.

Under the Weights and Measures Ordinance, anyone who in the course of trade supplies goods 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 crabs purchased by officers of the Customs and Excise Department in a marketplace in Lei Yue Mun in March. 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 51%.

Ends/Monday, March 31, 2008