The Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department demonstrated its commitment to cracking down on contraband smuggling by adding two more mobile X-ray vehicle scanning systems.
The two systems are being used at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals to combat trade fraud, drug trafficking, weapon and human smuggling.
Hong Kong Customs has now in place four mobile X-ray vehicle scanning systems. The first two were purchased in 2001.
To mark the formal commissioning of the two new systems, a handover ceremony was held at the Customs and Excise Senior Officers' Mess today (June 9).
Attending the ceremony were officials including the Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Timothy Tong, and the Chairman of Nuctech Company Limited (the supplier of the systems), Mr Kang Kejun.
Costing about HK$15 million each, the systems require about 80 seconds to scan a 40-foot container. The object being scanned remains stationary throughout the scanning process.
The systems, equipped with the latest technology - the Radioactivity Detection System - are capable of locating any radioactive source emitting gamma or neutron radiation.
They can detect all forms of contraband including drugs and weapons, and illegal immigrants.
Each system is installed on a truck with an X-ray detector on one side, and is able to scan the truck and the container at the same time. They can be deployed outdoors in container yards, cargo wharfs or control points.
The systems meet the safety standard of the Department of Health, the World Health Organisation and the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Since April, 2004, with the assistance of the two new systems, Customs officers have successfully detected 26 smuggling cases resulting in the seizure of vehicles, vehicle parts, electrical appliances, electronic wastes, firearms, clothing and dutiable cigarettes worth a total of about HK$38.6 million.
Ends/Wednesday, June 9, 2004