Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $16 million

Massive $16 million cannabis bust by hong kong customs

​Hong Kong Customs seized about 77 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $16 million, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on May 9.

Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne container, declared as carrying assorted foodstuffs and arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside instant noodles and cornflakes packages.

After a follow-up investigation and a controlled delivery operation, Customs officers on May 14 arrested a foreign male consignee, aged 32, in Prince Edward. Two local male truck drivers, aged 42 and 49, were further arrested in North Point yesterday (May 15).

The two arrested local men have been released on bail pending further investigation. The arrested foreign man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 17).

Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $16 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Former registered contractor convicted for carrying out building works in a dangerous manner

The Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts today (October 31) ruled that a former registered general building contractor and its sub-contractor had contravened the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) (BO) and imposed each with a fine of $8,000. The Buildings Department (BD) will seek legal advice on whether to appeal against the amount of the fines imposed.

The case involved a fatal incident at a construction site at Tung Yuen Street, Yau Tong in December 2022. A worker was hit by a collapsed steel section when carrying out removal works of a temporary lateral support at the construction site, and died subsequently. An investigation by the BD found that precautionary measures had not been adequately provided by the contractor and its sub-contractor during the dismantling of the temporary lateral support. The BD initiated prosecutions against the contractor and its sub-contractor under section 40(2B)(a) of the BO in December last year.

The subject contractor (i.e. Aggressive Construction Engineering Limited) was removed from the Register of General Building Contractors on November 16 last year.

Pursuant to section 40(2B)(a) of the BO, any person directly concerned with the relevant building works, who carries out or authorises or permits such works to be carried out, in such manner that it causes injury to any person or damage to any property, shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine of $1,000,000 and to imprisonment for three years.