Hong Kong Customs detects three passenger drug trafficking cases at airport

Breaking news: hong kong customs busts three drug trafficking cases at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 28) detected three drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 32 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 27kg of suspected cannabis buds and 15kg of suspected heroin with a total estimated market value of about $37 million. Seven men were arrested.

The first case involved two male passengers, aged 46 and 25, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized about 23kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in the check-in luggage of the 46-year-old man. The two men were subsequently arrested.

Following an investigation, the two arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 30).

The second case involved three male passengers, aged 29, 33 and 34, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers seized a total of about 32kg of suspected methamphetamine and 15kg of suspected heroin in their check-in luggage. They were subsequently arrested.

The third case involved a 35-year-old male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 4kg of suspected cannabis buds in his check-in baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

Following a follow-up investigation, a 61-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested at the airport later yesterday.

Investigations of the second and third cases are ongoing.

Given the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).

Hong Kong Customs detects three passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Afcd staff crack down on animal release hotspots

​With a view to safeguarding animal welfare, staff of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) were sent today (May 15) to patrol sites where mercy release activities often took place in the past, including Wun Yiu, Tai Po; Ng Tung River, Sheung Shui; Sai Kung Public Pier and Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier, and distributed educational leaflets there to remind the public to think carefully before participating in mercy releases of animals.

A spokesman for the AFCD said, "If members of the public engage themselves in mercy release activities during which animals are not released in a proper manner, including releasing them into an unsuitable habitat, survival of these animals may be affected."

Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to animals by releasing them not in a proper manner. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years upon conviction.

No cases involving suspected animal cruelty caused by animal releases were found today.

The spokesman stressed that members of the public must think carefully before participating in animal release activities to safeguard animal welfare. The AFCD will launch a fish restocking exercise on National Fish Releasing Day on June 6 to release fish fingerlings in Yan Chau Tong Marine Park to enhance local marine resources and ecology. The department will promote to the public the benefits of fish restocking to the environment, with a view to engaging them in supporting and participating in these science-based restocking exercises in lieu of animal releases not properly conducted. They may also consider other charitable activities such as planting trees or participating in volunteer services with animal welfare groups and environmental organisations.

The AFCD will continue to patrol places where animal releasing activities are likely to take place, take enforcement action when necessary, and carry out publicity and education work.

AFCD staff patrol animal release hotspots Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD staff patrol animal release hotspots Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases