Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine worth about $15 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 1) detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 18 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $15 million. A male and a female were arrested.
A 22-year-old male passenger and a 16-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday. During customs clearance, 18 packets of suspected cocaine weighing about 18kg in total were found inside their carry-on suitcases. The pair was subsequently arrested. An investigation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up 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 return. 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.
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 182 8080 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 cocaine worth about $15 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
