The Customs & Excise Department today warned that people departing Hong Kong should note the new regulation on the export of powdered infant formula will take effect on March 1.

The Import & Export (General)(Amendment) Regulation prohibits the unlicensed export of more than 1.8kg of powdered formula, including milk powder and soy milk powder, for infants and children under 36 months.

Only people aged 16 or above who have not left Hong Kong in the previous 24 hours can carry the restricted amount. Offenders face two-year's jail and a $500,000 fine.

For children leaving Hong Kong together with a person aged 16 or above, the prohibition does not apply to powdered formula not exceeding a reasonable quantity for the children's consumption during the travel period from a point of exit in Hong Kong to the next point of entry in a place outside Hong Kong. The powder must be in an unsealed container.

The department said it will strengthen export control and enhance baggage and cargo inspection. It will also enhance intelligence collection with Mainland authorities.

It will boost publicity of the new regulation in the northern New Territories and at control points.

Secretary for Security TK Lai says experts will travel to Cairo this evening to help identify bodies from a hot-air balloon accident, in which tourists from Hong Kong were killed.

Speaking to media today, Mr Lai said the group of experts includes doctors from health authorities, a DNA specialist from the Government Laboratory, and Police.

"This step we are going to take is to ensure that there will be a smooth passage during the body identification process," he said.

Two women who claimed to have been unlawfully detained in Argentina will be escorted back to Hong Kong by Police tomorrow.

Three Hong Kong Police officers are in the country to help Argentinian authorities investigate the case. Two will stay behind to continue the probe, while the third will escort the women back to Hong Kong.

Police received two reports on February 20 and 21 that a 17-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman were unlawfully detained in Argentina. The three officers were sent to Buenos Aires on February 23 and spoke with the women.

They said they were contacted through a social media network and induced into transporting a vase and a painting from Hong Kong to South America. They left Hong Kong with a 19-year-old man on February 6. Upon arrival they discovered the vase had been damaged and they were detained but subsequently released.

Police arrested a 17-year-old woman suspected of handling stolen goods in Sheung Shui on February 22, and she has been released on bail.

Customs officers have charged a 27-year-old man with drug trafficking after they seized 2.1kg of cocaine from a speedpost parcel from Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the airport.

The drug, worth about $2.18 million, was concealed inside 30 printer parts inside the package, which officers found on Sunday.

They arrested the man, who claimed to be unemployed, on Monday. He will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates Court today.

The maximum penalty for drug trafficking is life in prison and a $5 million fine.