Senior executive of air cargo company and contractor charged by ICAC for US$1.1m-bribes-for aircraft charter agreement

An assistant general manager of air cargo companies and a service contractor were charged by the ICAC this morning (October 20) for allegedly agreeing to accept and offer bribes of over US$1.1 million (equivalent to over HK$8.5 million) for providing air cargo services for the air cargo companies. The case is set for mention in the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.

The defendants are Nelson Lee Yiu-wing, 74, assistant general manager of Shenzhen CNT Global Freight Co., Limited (SZCNT) and CNT Global Freight Co., Limited (HKCNT); and Jason Wan Kim-wah, 69, sole director-cum-shareholder of U.L.D. Group Limited (ULD). They jointly face one count of conspiracy for agents to accept advantages, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon for mention.

The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint. SZCNT is an air freight company based in Shenzhen while HKCNT is its office in Hong Kong. At the material time, Lee was responsible for managing daily operations of both companies. ULD was an air cargo services contractor in Hong Kong.

The charge alleges that between July and September 2023, Lee and Wan conspired together for Lee to accept from Wan bribes consisting of at least US$1.1 million (equivalent to over HK$8.5 million) for engaging ULD to provide air cargo services for SZCNT.

At the material time, SZCNT signed an aircraft charter agreement with ULD. Pursuant to the agreement, ULD was required to provide at least 110 round-trip flights to and from China and the United States for a period of one year. The total value of the agreement sum was over US$57 million (equivalent to over HK$440 million).

ICAC investigation revealed that the two defendants had allegedly agreed for Lee to accept a bribe of US$10,000 (equivalent to about HK$78,000) for each round-trip flight. Between July 11 and August 29 2023, Lee accepted bribes totalling US$180,000 (equivalent to about HK$1.4 million). Should ULD be able to honour the agreement by providing 110 round-trip flights, bribes in total would amount to US$1.1 million (equivalent over HK$8.5 million). However, the agreement was subsequently terminated as ULD failed to provide the required services.

SZCNT and HKCNT rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.