Latest news with #CustomsAndExcise
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
4 children's raincoats fail Hong Kong watchdog's physical, chemical safety tests
Four out of 14 children's reusable raincoats tested by Hong Kong's consumer watchdog have failed physical and chemical safety tests due to having excessively long cords and drawstrings or posing a high risk of exposure to harmful substances. The Consumer Council said on Tuesday that one of the tested products, a raincoat, contained levels of plasticiser that were nearly 11 times the limit outlined in the European Union's safety standards. 'The council has referred the test findings to the Customs and Excise Department for follow-up and calls on manufacturers to improve the design of cords and drawstrings in children's raincoat and poncho products, as well as reducing plasticiser and total lead content in products through improving selected materials, so as to safeguard children's health and safety,' it said. The watchdog said it had conducted physical and chemical tests on 14 raincoats and ponchos suitable for children aged three to seven or between 110cm and 130cm (43.3 and 51.1 inches) tall, with the products selling for HK$12 to HK$238 (US$1.5 to US$30.3). The council said the tests included checking the safety of the coats' cords, drawstrings and any sharp points or edges, as well as checking for 'phthalates', a group of chemicals primarily used to make plastics more flexible and durable, and heavy metal content. Tests found that three samples with cords or drawstrings failed to comply with EU safety standards for length.
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Drug smuggler jailed for importing £49k cocaine to Isle of Man
A drug smuggler who travelled to the Isle of Man with large quantities of cocaine and cannabis stashed in a hidden compartment in his van has been jailed for six years and four Green, 33, was stopped by customs and excise officers after he arrived on the ferry from Heysham in March claiming he was a subcontractor travelling for work.A search of the vehicle revealed packages containing £49,755 of cocaine and £10,466 of Courthouse heard, after admitting to smuggling the drugs, he had lied to a probation officer about the death of his son to get sympathy from the court, which Deemster Graeme Cook said was an "absolutely disgusting attempt at deception". Green, from Kirby in Merseyside, had arrived on the Manxman's sailing from Heysham at 06:00 GMT on 21 March, the court initially told customs and excise officers he was a subcontractor who was due to start work on a shop, but no items relating to that project were found in the was arrested after he could provide no proof he had made the trip for work drugs were found in a specially created "hide" within the black Ford Transit Connect Van when a further search was carried out at police headquarters. 'Beyond comprehension' In a prepared statement he told police he was a gambling addict and had agreed to smuggle cannabis to the island, and had been given the ferry fare with the promise of £1,000 on his said he was told to park the van on a road overnight before collecting it the following day to drive it to the ferry port, the court was pleaded guilty to importing cocaine and cannabis, and possession of both drugs with intent to defence advocate said he had made a "wholly disastrous error of judgement" in what were "very poor financial circumstances".The court heard Green had told a probation officer, who was compiling a social enquiry report ahead of his sentencing hearing, that one of his twin sons had recently died from leukaemia at the age of he later admitted he had lied and the child had in fact died 16 weeks into the pregnancy Cook said Green had "exaggerated" the situation in order to get increased sympathy from the court but that had "rebounded" on him."I find the whole suggestion completely distasteful, disgusting and beyond comprehension," he was also handed an exclusion order, which bans him from returning to the island for five years after his release. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
