East Kowloon police arrest two suspected illegal hire drivers
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
East Kowloon traffic police mounted an undercover enforcement operation on Friday morning targeting suspected illegal carriage of passengers for reward in the district. Officers posing as passengers intercepted two private cars, and two local male drivers, aged 29 and 30, were arrested in Tseung Kwan O and Ngau Tau Kok.
The two men were arrested on suspicion of using a vehicle for illegal hire or reward and using a vehicle without third-party insurance. Both were being detained for investigation, while the two private cars involved were seized for further inquiries and inspection.
Key Points
- The operation was carried out on September 4 by the Enforcement and Control Division of the East Kowloon Regional Traffic Unit, according to Sing Tao
- Undercover officers posed as passengers during the morning action and successfully intercepted two private cars suspected of illegal paid passenger services.
- The two arrested drivers are local men aged 29 and 30, stopped separately in Tseung Kwan O and Ngau Tau Kok.
- Police said both were suspected of using cars for illegal hire or reward and driving without valid third-party insurance coverage.
- The two seized private cars were being held for investigation and further examination after the arrests.
Why It Matters
Police said Hong Kong law requires a valid hire-car permit before a vehicle can be used to carry passengers for reward, and first-time offenders face a HK$10,000 fine and six months' imprisonment, rising to HK$25,000 and 12 months for repeat offences. Police also warned that if a vehicle is being used for illegal paid passenger services, its third-party insurance may become invalid, potentially leaving passengers, pedestrians and other road users without protection in a crash