A Beef Story in Hong Kong 香港牛柳事件

Good news!!!

2008-09-13T00:41:00.002+10:00

Dear friends,

I'm happy to let you know that there is finally some good news coming out of the Beef Story!

Last night a reporter from the HK newspaper Oriental Daily called me and told me that the HK Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has officially changed their protocol for tourists who have declared their food items.

They will now give a warning for 1st time offenders....only repeat offences may warrant prosecution.

Moreover, they will also be showing even more visible signs within the airport to warn people about HK's food import restrictions.

For more information, please read today's Oriental Daily news article (in PDF format):
http://www.beefstory.com/OrientalDaily080912.pdf

I'm just very glad that they have FINALLY made changes! All the hard work that we have put in during the last 2.5 months has finally bore fruit... and it feels rewarding indeed! ;)

Sadly, however, I will still be carrying a criminal record from this ordeal. But I will try to stay positive about this.... the record would go away after 3 years.

Finally, thanks very much to Oriental Daily for following this up! And thanks to all our friends and supporters who have joined our Facebook group! THANKS :)

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ who has always been in control!

Andy (& Tracy)

The lady speaks!

2008-09-08T23:20:00.003+10:00

As mentioned in my previous posting, I was finally able to make contact with the lady who passed out at the airport on the night we got detained.

After much anticipation, I'm happy to say that I have now received her email that tells her side of the story!

And this is what she wrote (unedited of course!)...

On 28 June 2008 (Saturday) about 6pm, the Hong Kong customs arrested an honest man from Australia who declared to the Hong Kong customs that he possessed a small quantity of beef. Travellers queuing behind that man (another man and myself from Australia too) were also arrested for the same reason (possessing meat without Certificate)

We were detained in a small room for 2.5 hours waiting to be interviewed by the Food, Environment and Hygiene Dept. Upon waiting, we were treated like a drug trafficker. Our actions were closely monitored by the customs staff (they followed us to toilet, and watched us making phone call to our friends and relatives who came to meet us at the airport)

We were innocent because we did not know about this new law - no warning was given in the in fight video prepared for visitors arriving to Hong Kong . Visitors were not warned to throw away the meat before arriving at customs. No obvious signs about 'meat restrictions' could be seen in airport.

After the long-haul flight (8 hours) and the long process of inquiry, I finally collapsed (I was hungry and stressful) in the small room at 11pm. I was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital . I was lucky because my collapse helped me to escape the criminal charges. However, the two men were brought to court and charged for violating this law. I felt so sorry for them because they were not given the chance to defend themselves. They were well mannered, honest, and nice. However they did not receive a fair treatment/judgment in Hong Kong .

It was an unforgettable nightmare which ruined our holidays in Hong Kong . After that incident, we all (including our friends and relatives) tried to avoid Hong Kong as a tourist destination because we didn't know what's new next time.

My view to this incident to H.K. government
1 If the law is there than it should be applied all the time
2 If the law has been changed, it should be communicated
3 There must be a FEHD officer full time at the airport
4 As a judge not only jest follow the rule, use your brain as well.
5 Not comparing with other country' but learn from other countries who have processes in place

My learning's are:
1 Never take raw meat to H K
2 To maintain a healthy lifestyle
3 To enjoy the rest of my holidays
4 To share with others this experience so it doesn't happen to anyone else.

My view to the public
1 Pay attention to the media
2 Check the custom laws before you enter to the country

We've found the lady!

2008-08-20T22:55:00.003+10:00

Dear readers,

If you have been following my story, you would've read that there was a lady who fainted at the airport and had to be sent to the hospital. Well... tonight I have made contact with her for the first time since the night we got detained.

She brought into HK 6kg of frozen steak.

But she had good news.... she was able to escape prosecution!

She told me that she would love to tell the world her side of the story, and so I will be helping her posting it onto this blog shortly. So keep watching this space!

Thanks for your support!
Andy

Our radio interview went well!

2008-08-13T10:19:00.006+10:00

Tracy and I were on a live radio interview on the Sydney Chinese radio station 2CR last night from 9.30pm - 11.30pm on a programme called "Rainbow Connection" (星光伴彩虹).

Praise God that it all went well!

We thank the announcers (Jing Jing, Sam Sir and Ah Chung) for producing a great programme allowing us to re-tell our story! My spoken Chinese was horrible, yet they understood me well. What a miracle! :P

We would also like to thank Mr James To Kun Sun (Legislative Council of HK) for being on the interview over the phone. He has been very sympathetic of our situation.

Lastly, thanks to all the listeners - especially those who have called up to give their advice and opinion on the matter.

If you would like to listen to the programme again, you can tune into FM91.5 on your radio this Sunday (17th August) from 2pm-4pm.

Alternatively, you can also download the show as MP3 here:
http://www.beefstory.com/Audio/RainbowConnection_080812.MP3
(Unfortunately, the first 15 mins of the interview is not on this recording)

2CR radio interview tomorrow night

2008-08-11T22:07:00.002+10:00

This week Tracy and I will be interviewed on 2CR Chinese radio. It is a live show which will air tomorrow night (Tuesday 12th August) at 9.30pm.

We will be re-telling our story again, but this time we'll be speaking from a Christian perspective. So how has this incident affected our faith in God? Please tune in to find out! :)

You may also take part on the show by calling up the radio station during the on-air discussion: (02) 9211 5611

For those of you who doesn't own a 2CR radio device, we will try to record our interview as MP3 and then post it on this website.

Signs and posters? Where?

2008-08-07T23:09:00.002+10:00

While reading the HK Customs & Excise Dept website tonight, I came across an interesting old press release from April 2008. This article was released to the public 2 months before my arrest in Hong Kong.

http://www.customs.gov.hk/eng/new_release_20080418_pork_e.html

The article explains that HK Customs have "stepped up" in enforcement action against travellers bringing meat or poultry into HK, and the purpose was to "prevent passengers from importing meat and poultry meat which has not undergone proper inspection".

Moreover, the article says, "FEHD had put up posters and pull-up displays and distributed leaflets at the control points to remind travellers not to bring into Hong Kong any meat or poultry meat without health certificates".

Now my question is... how visible are these posters, pull-up displays and leaflets? If it can easily be seen, how come very few people can actually see it?

On the night of my arrest, I truly have NOT seen any signs or posters warning me about this. The other 2 Australian-Chinese people who got arrested couldn't see it either.

So if FEHD is unable to produce signs and posters that can easily be seen, I wonder if it is legitimate in "stepping up" their level of enforcement on travellers. My answer is no. As a victim of this incident, I haven't felt that FEHD has made any effort in warning me beforehand.

Feedback from TVBJ show

2008-08-05T21:12:00.002+10:00

Tracy and I would like to thank all of you for your wonderful feedback after watching last night's show on TVBJ.

Many people have left encouraging and supportive messages on our Facebook group page. Thank you! This comes to show that many people agree with me that there is injustice in the Beef Story.

Australian quarantine bins are great!

2008-08-03T21:41:00.003+10:00

Travelling into Sydney? Well, this is what you'll see when you arrive.... it's quite hard to miss really.

We're on TVBJ - Monday 4th August

2008-08-01T12:36:00.004+10:00

A friend sent me a message on Facebook saying that she saw someone who looks like me on a TVBJ promo. Well, that's me! :P

Tracy and I had an interview with TVB Australia (TVBJ) 2 weeks ago on the Beef Story. For those of you who have TVBJ at home, you would see this story go to air on the coming Monday 4th August in the current affairs programme called 眾坊街.

Happy watching! ;)

p.s. Thanks to Alex (the reporter) for being so patient with my Chinese

Did I regret declaring to the customs?

2008-07-23T18:41:00.003+10:00

As I reflected on the whole incident, I am still convinced that I have done the right thing in declaring my meat to the customs. So did I regret declaring? Not at all!

On that fateful evening, I declared my food out of respect for HK importation laws (which I knew little about), yet I didn't realise that this respect wasn't reciprocal to the traveller. Of course, I could've walked straight through customs and out of the airport...but I stopped and enquired an officer out of honesty.

So if I'm still liable for prosecution for declaring, what is the true meaning of "declaration" then? Why set up a "declaration" lane in the first place?

From the perspective of HK law, the act of declaring my meat is just like "surrendering" any illegal item. Of course, "surrendering" implies that I have a prior knowledge that it's wrong. But there is one problem. If I had REALLY intended to surrender wouldn't I let authorities know that I'm surrendering?

So I'm trying to point out a deficiency in this law. The law only sees you as belonging to 2 groups: 1) You've been intercepted, or 2) You've surrendered.

When I went to court, the judge saw me in group 2.

But there really ought to be a 3rd group...the group that I should really be in - 3) Declared, not liable

Post-traumatic stress

2008-07-20T18:58:00.005+10:00

I've been asked by someone today if I'm glad that the whole thing's over. All I could say was... it's not really over yet :(

For the last 3 weeks, this issue has been going on in our minds EVERY SINGLE DAY and it's beginning to drive us crazy. The feeling that justice hasn't been served is still driving our emotions wild. I think it's fair to call it "post-traumatic stress". Worst of all, I believe it'll continue to go on for weeks (or perhaps even months!).

What's the next step from here? Well, we're still tossing up our options. If indeed I really did get a "criminal record" from this ordeal, it would certainly go down in HK history as one of the most shameful things to happen in the HK legal system. And picking on tourists is downright embarassing.

I've been told that if I had a record of criminal offence, it would even affect our children's employment opportunities with the HK Police Force. Depressing!

So, would litigation be an option for us? That's certainly an option.

Regarding my last posting...

2008-07-19T23:22:00.002+10:00

Some people have voiced their concerns that I may have "crossed the line" with my last posting. I would like to respond that the title was intentionally exaggerated for the sake of satirical humour. If you really think about it, this whole incident is a joke...it should not have happened.

The intention of the posting was to say that there are people within the HK govt who are aware of the issue and this website. In fact, part of our purpose in setting up this website is to raise awareness within the govt so that they may respond to this issue fairly. And I do hope that they would respond fairly.

Is the HK govt....spying on us???

2008-07-17T00:05:00.002+10:00

In the last 3 days, I made an interesting discovery.

It seems that there are some visitors to this website (www.beefstory.com) who are using HK govt computers. How did I find out? Well, I checked the visitor log of the website for IP addresses.

Here are the IP addresses in question (for privacy reasons, I xx the last 2 digits):
202.128.229.xx
202.128.225.xx

How do I know that these are HK govt computers? Easy! Here are the IP addresses of some govt web servers.
www.customs.gov.hk [202.128.231.77]
www.police.gov.hk [202.128.227.77]
www.fehd.gov.hk [202.128.227.77]

Because of the close proximity of the IP addresses, it is extremely likely that we have 2 visitors from the HK govt interested in our website.

Hi guys! :)

Why I pleaded "guilty"

2008-07-16T08:31:00.005+10:00

I've been asked by many people why I pleaded guilty when standing before the judge on 30/6/08. Let me give you a brief explanation why the verdict would still be the same if I pleaded "not guilty".

As explained by a FEHD (Food & Environmental Hygiene Dept...the HK govt. dept. that laid charges on me) staff and a police officer, the law states that I'm already a criminal when I brought raw beef into HK without a valid certificate, no matter what my intentions are.

Therefore, even if I was ignorant about the law and did not have the intention of breaking it (by declaring the meat), I am still viewed as "guilty" by the law. So if I had pleaded "not guilty", the judge would still judge me by the same law and the resulting verdict would remain the same.

That is the reason why I said the law should be amended. It should take into account the "intention" of the traveller.

I pleaded guilty to the judge and asked for lenience over the sentence by telling him I had no intention. However, the result was still the same. $HKD1000 fine and a record of conviction.

Of course, there is one point of argument if I had pleaded not-guilty. That is, whether or not I have really "entered HK". A well-known lawyer in HK argued (in the newspaper) that in my situation, I have not really entered HK as I haven't passed customs.

However, if I were to go down this route, it would take a lot more time and money (to hire a good lawyer). Both of these we don't have.

We're on Australia's Sing Tao Newspaper

2008-07-14T08:02:00.007+10:00

We were mentioned on the front page of the local Sing Tao (星島) Chinese newspapers on Saturday....
http://www.singtao.com.au/AUSTRALIAnews/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=106374&intcatid=2

It's good that we are raising the awareness of people overseas. In the article, people have stated their concern in bringing abalone back to HK in light of the "beef incident".

牛柳思 (my reflection on the beef story)

2008-07-13T18:43:00.000+10:00

剛從香港回來，不少朋友都告訴我們從報章中看見我們，一些人更說我們因而人氣大增。但在重整這件事的過程中，我們都認同惟有主耶穌基督是值得被高舉。

在事發的當晚 (六月廿八日)，當我得知丈夫(譚智傑)在入境前被海關因主動申報攜帶冷凍牛柳而被扣留時，我頓時失控了，腦海中浮現很多疑惑。在機場內那漫長的幾個小時中，除了不斷致電不同的人仕，我心裏不斷求問主耶穌。當時，幾句聖經金句不斷在我腦內盤旋，分別是：

「我們曉得萬事都互相效力，叫愛　神的人得益處，就是按他旨意被召的人。」(羅馬書8:28)
「我的幫助從造天地的耶和華而來。」(詩篇121: 2)
「耶和華的律法全備，能甦醒人心。耶和華的法度確定，能使愚人有智慧。」(詩篇19:7)

終於等待至丈夫從禁區內出來，我的心情稍為放鬆下來，但沒有想到一宗小事後來卻會演變成這樣。在港逗留的期間，為了這件事情，我們到處奔波，亦影響了本來訂了的行程。雖然如此，感謝主讓我感受到很多的愛，以及讓我體會到丈夫對我的重要。

在上法庭後的那個星期六 (七月六日)，我們才知道丈夫因此事而留有案底，心情一度回落。直至翌日，懷著未能釋懷的心情，我向主禱告，求祂讓我可以從心敬拜祂。感謝主聆聽禱告，當日的主日崇拜讓我聽見主的回應。在唱詩時，一首詩歌《真愛》的歌詞令我很感動，亦讓我親切地感受到主的愛。詩歌提及，主耶穌昔日主動來到這個沉淪的世界中，祂選擇為世人 (包括我們)釘在十架上，為我們的罪而死。即使面對自以為義、背棄祂的人，祂選擇原諒。立時，我的心被融化了，比起主耶穌所受的痛苦，我們所受的算是甚麼呢？我們都只不過是領受主耶穌恩典的罪人。

在講道中，傳道人透過主禱文提醒我們祈禱的態度：祈求主的心意。對！祢才是這個世界的創造者，我們都屬於祢的！一切的事情都在祢掌管之下。

誰是誰非，惟有主耶穌才能定奪。感謝主讓我們在整個過程中都看見祢的同在及真實。無論結局如何，我們都願意學習順服祢。

在這件事件中，很想藉此網頁感謝不同的人：

為我們禱告及幫助我們的朋友。感激你們對我們的愛！亦多謝在網絡上反對我們的朋友。謝謝你們花時間閱讀及留言，當中我學習了包容及體諒。
范國輝先生替我們聯絡傳媒；涂謹申議員親自的來電。
傳媒朋友。謝謝你們報導此事。
我們的家人。謝謝智傑姐夫的法津意見；謝謝父母在此事上的付出。爸爸，很想告訴您一個事實：能當您的女兒，我感到很幸福，很自豪！雖然我們並不是富貴人家，但我們卻很富足！
我的丈夫。你在處理這件事上讓我更欣賞你。雖然期間我因此事而偶爾變得情緒化，但你都一一包容。謝謝你的愛。
最重要的主耶穌基督！主耶穌，惟有祢的法度是完備的！縱然地上的津法未必能成為人的保障，但是我深信祢是掌權的！希望這件事能成為其中一個渠道，讓人看見祢自己！願祢的名被高舉！

備註：此篇文章純是發表個人感受。對於任何意見，本人未必能每個都回覆，但歡迎任何富建設性的意見。

若果你想更瞭解有關主耶穌的福音內容，請瀏覽以下網站：http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/chinese/

Many friends of ours told us that they saw us in the news after we came back from Hong Kong. Some people even said that we became famous because of this. However, when we reflected on the whole ordeal, we both agreed that only the Lord Jesus should be glorified.

Recalling back to that evening (28th June), I was totally lost when I was told that Andy (my husband) got detained by HK customs for actively declaring 1 kg of frozen scotch fillet steak. I was so confused. During those few hours of being stuck in the airport, besides calling many people, I also kept praying to the Lord Jesus. At that time, a few verses from the Bible revolved vividly in my mind. They were:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8: 28)
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121: 2)
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (Psalm 19:7)

Finally, when Andy came out from the resticted area of the airport, I felt a little bit relieved. Nevertheless, I had never thought it would have developed into what it became. We went to many different places because of this ordeal and it affected our set schedule. However, we praise the Lord for letting us experience a lot of love, as well as realizing how important Andy means to me.

Few days after going to court (6th July). we were told that Andy got a record of conviction from this ordeal. My heart was broken once again. Till the next day, I was still upset about this, so I prayed to the Lord Jesus that I could worship Him sincerely. Thanks to the Lord Jesus for listening to my prayers and He responded to my prayers! Throughout the Sunday service at church, I was really touched by His love. From a hymn titled 'True love', it tells us that the Lord Jesus chose to come to this fallen world and to die on the cross for our sins. Even to those who betrayed Him and were self-righteous, He chose to forgive them. I was really touched at that moment. Compared to Jesus' sufferings, ours were nothing. We are sinners who have tasted His salvation.

During the sermon, the speaker reminded us of the attitude we should have when we pray the Lord's prayer: We should seek the Lord's will. Yes! You are the creator of the whole world, and we belong to You! Everything is under Your control.

Who's wrong and who's right? Only the Lord Jesus can judge. We praise You Lord for revealing yourself thoughtout the whole issue. Whatever the outcome is, we are willing to learn to be submissive to You.

Finally, we would like to take a chance to thank:

those who prayed for us and helped us. Thanks for your love towards us! We also thank those who are against us on the internet. Thanks for spending time, we have learnt to be more patient and considerate.
Mr Fan Kwok Fai for contacting the media; MP James To for calling us.
The press. Thanks for reporting this ordeal.
Our family. We thank Andy's bro-in-law Dennsi for his legal advice. Thanks to Dad and Mum for what they have done for us. Dad, I just wanna let you know that I'm so proud to be your daughter! Although we are not from a wealthy family, we are blessed.
My husband. I admire you more through how you handle the case. Although I was a bit emotional, you were so patient. Thanks for your love.
Most importantly, our Lord Jesus Christ! Lord Jesus, only Your law is perfect! Although the law of the world may not be everyone's security, I believe that You are sovereign! May this ordeal become a channel for people to know You. May Your name to be exalted!

P.S This is an acticle for expressing my feelings. I cannot guarantee that I could reply every comment. But I welcome any constructive comments.

If you want to know more about the salvation of the Lord Jesus, please check this website: http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/

We're on the news today!

2008-07-13T01:56:00.000+10:00

Thanks to Oriental Daily (東方日報) for the coverage:
http://orientaldaily.on.cc/new/new_a49cnt.html?pubdate=20080712

Facebook Group

2008-07-12T01:07:00.000+10:00

如果你覺得這件事件是不公平的，請你加入我們的 Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=28795310389

一位澳洲華僑來港探親被囚10小時

2008-07-11T17:43:00.000+10:00

Mr Fan Kwok Fai (from Fan Kwok Fai Community Service Center) helped us organise a press conference on 4th July 2008... and this is what was handed out to the reporters.

6月28日接獲澳洲華僑譚智傑向本會求助，指其來港當日被海關扣押10小時，才獲得保釋，事件對其家人做成困擾，更影響香港國際旅遊清譽，因此本會聯同當事人召開記者會，以下是譚智傑遭遇過程。

本人譚智傑於2008年6月28日下午約6時30分由澳洲到港，因本人攜帶一公斤生牛柳，入境後主動向海關申報攜帶自用食品，誰料因誠實申報所攜帶的食物而被海關扣留超過10小時，繼而被食環署檢控，更被送至機場警署，最後被法庭罰款港幣一千元正。就是次事件，本人希望透過香港傳媒向社會人士反映本人的不滿及意見，並提醒其他外國訪港遊客，勿跌落有關陷井。

首先，事件令本人對香港法律制度感到失望。香港以旅遊業發展的城市，身為旅客，對於因誠實申報所攜帶的食物而被處罰，本人認為是十分不公平的，對香港的印象大打節扣。加上於香港機場內，海關沒有給予任何指示或警告給予訪港人士。不然，本人必將其攜帶一公斤的牛柳丟棄。類似事件一定不會在澳洲發生，在澳洲，當你申報不能攜帶入境的食物時，海關職員只會將之丟棄。再者，澳洲機場內有足夠的告示牌及警告(包括在機上)讓旅客知道哪些食品不能攜帶入境。在經接觸海關前，政府亦提供垃圾箱給旅客丟棄違法食物。總括一句，此事絕不會當作刑事事件。

另外，這事件令本人在澳洲及香港的家人感到十分擔心、焦慮及緊張。當本人被香港海關扣留的時候，本人提出要求致電在澳洲的親友報平安，海關回覆沒有被提供長途電話服務，導致本人無法致電遠在澳洲的母親報平安及聯絡本港親友。本人由６月28日下午６時30分被扣留，直至翌日清晨4時30分才被妻子保釋，此事為家人帶來很多不便，部分家人更因而通宵奔走，因而影響翌日工作的家人。

政府處理這次事件上，我對有關部門辦事效率深感失望，食環署因「沒有足夠的職員」而白白將本人扣留於機場禁區的扣押室達６、７個小時。當本人於凌晨一時多被押去機場警署後，被扣留多３個多小時。亦因此事而被傳召上法庭。於整個過程中，本人感到與一般的罪犯沒有分別，本人來港旅遊計劃及情緒亦受此事影響。

本人在事件上不是針對任何部門的職員，明白海關職員、食環署職員及警察只是盡他們的職責以維持香港的法津。但本人極度反對有關法例的不公平。本人認為香港需要重修有關津例以鼓勵所有人仕主動申報他們所攜帶的食品。現在，本人有感這處理手法灌輸其他往香港的旅客有一個錯誤的觀念，便是盡量避免主動申報物品及接觸海關職員。

最後，本人向本港親友、朋友致謝，亦對工聯會范國輝先生在整件事上的幫助深感謝意。

譚智傑2008年7月4日

HK beef saga drawing to an end

2008-07-10T08:45:00.000+10:00

Dear friends,

As the end of my stay in HK is approaching, so is the end of the story that embarrassed a nation (OK fine... HK is a special administrative region :P).

It is only fitting that I finish this story just like how I started it.

After discovering on Saturday (5th July 2008) that I may have a possible "criminal record", we have been in contact with practically everyone: HK customs, the police, magistracy officers, the HK Ombudsman, the Australian consulate, politicians, reporters, etc. As you can see, it has been a pretty crazy last couple of days.

Up until now, after many rounds of "email ping-pong" with authorities, we have still yet to receive a full confirmation regarding whether or not I had been given a criminal record from this ordeal. Hopefully, it would just be a record of conviction (which I would still bear for life because I pleaded guilty).

The HK police and HK customs have lead us on a merry-go-round since Saturday and the latest we've heard is that we'll need to wait 3 months until this information is accessible.

However, like all good stories, this one ends on a positive note.

Mr To Kun Sun (also known as To, James To), an influential member of the Legislative Council of HK gave us a call on Wednesday night. He told us that he raised this issue up at a recent council meeting and had persuaded the head of HK Customs to modify the law so that this incident would never happen again. I think the changes would also include more "visible signs" at HK International Airport about what is illegal to be brought in.

I reckon this was a great response and it was the response that Tracy and I have been praying for.

Is this a happy ending? You can judge for yourself. It is unfortunate that we had to cop the punishment first before all this is introduced.

Before I sign off and then to jump on a plane at 9.15am HK time, I would like to thank everyone who has offered me assistance and advice during this time. I thank my bro-in-law Dennis for his legal advice, and also to Adela who has helped me in HK. A special shout out to Pastor Vincent for typing up a great character reference (which, surprisingly, is true as well!) for me to bring to court.

Finally, thanks to everyone who has showed concern and/or prayed for us. God is sovereign and great...and we've witnessed His blessings throughout this difficult time.

Cheers,
Andy (and Tracy, my better half who has painstakingly helped me through the saga)

Here is the story

2008-07-01T11:47:00.000+10:00

Hey guys,

Tracy and I are in HK at the moment...and the last few days have been quite hilarious.

Anyway... here's the story (note that Tracy was here 2 days earlier).

My plane landed on Saturday 6.15pm local time. After arriving, I got detained by the customs for being in illegal possession of 1kg of.....frozen scotch fillet steak! Yes, and I had even declared it! I had actively approached the customs officer about the meat.

Along with myself, 2 others were arrested for bringing raw meat into the country. Everyone thought it was legal and there were no signs in the airport saying otherwise. One of them (an aunty) later collapsed because of emotional stress and was sent to the hospital.

Anyway, after being detained for around 6.5 hours (!!!), we were taken to the police station around 1am and got formally charged. I had to sit behind bars at the station with one of the other "meat offenders" until 4.30am where I then got bailed by Tracy (HKD$1500).

I appeared in court on Monday morning at 9am, but unfortunately I was not able to get my hands on a free defence lawyer. Therefore, I had to write up my own defence. Moreover, after receiving legal advice from different people, I had to plead guilty. Fortunately, I was able to do it in English.

Anyway, I was fined HKD$1000 (around AUD$142).

Last night, Tracy and I spoke to a local politician and he will be organising a press release on Friday about my ordeal and we will be interviewed by reporters.

We praise the Lord Jesus for being in control throughout.

Cheers,
Andy & Tracy