A man was convicted and fined $6,000 at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (October 23) for contravening the Waste Disposal Ordinance (WDO) as a result of obstructing an investigation into an alleged case of illegal collection of chemical waste conducted by enforcement officers of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).

     In March of this year, EPD officers conducted territory-wide law enforcement actions with a focus on combating the illegal collection of chemical waste. During one of the law enforcement actions, EPD officers intercepted a man in To Kwa Wan, who was suspected to be illegally collecting chemical waste, namely waste lead-acid batteries. When EPD enforcement officers requested an inspection of the man's goods vehicle, he forced his way out of the scene in his vehicle, injuring an EPD officer as he was driving away. The EPD reported the case to the Police. After tracing the man and confirming his identity, the EPD initiated a prosecution against him under the WDO. In addition, the Police prosecuted the man for dangerous driving under the Road Traffic Ordinance. The man was convicted of both charges today.

     A spokesperson for the EPD stressed that, during law enforcement, EPD officers can require the persons involved to provide reasonable assistance in accordance with the WDO. It is an offence to obstruct law enforcement or not comply with enforcement officers' requests. Offenders may be liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $100,000. Persons concerned are likely to bear heavier liability if they cause bodily harm to enforcement officers during obstruction of law enforcement.

Ends/Wednesday, October 23, 2019
Issued at HKT 16:01

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