New head of Hong Kong customs vows to crack down on smuggling of ‘space oil’
Chan Tsz-tat also pledges to combat trade in illegal cigarettes as he takes over from Louise Ho, who is retiring
Hong Kong’s new customs chief has pledged to bolster efforts to crack down on the smuggling of the increasingly popular narcotic “space oil” and illicit cigarettes, while also ensuring the smooth clearance of goods to support the city’s status as a global trading hub.
Chan Tsz-tat, 54, took the reins of the 7,500-strong Customs and Excise Department on Tuesday after Beijing approved his appointment to succeed chief Louise Ho Pui-shan, who turned 57, the retirement age for members of the disciplined services.
“It is a great honour for me to take over the post of commissioner. I sincerely thank the Central People’s Government for the appointment and the chief executive for his trust and nomination,” Chan, who was previously one of the two deputy commissioners at the agency, said during a press briefing.
“I will earnestly fulfil my duties, work diligently, live up to my mission and trust, and lead the team of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department to meet various challenges and opportunities.”
The new chief promised to improve the effectiveness of law enforcement, including cracking down harder on the smuggling of space oil, an emerging drug commonly packaged as e-cigarette capsules and containing the prescription anaesthetic etomidate.
Customs would also ramp up efforts to curb illicit cigarette smuggling, Chan said, noting his department’s officers had recorded more than 19,000 cases at border control points since the start of the year, nearly double the number in the same period a year ago.
