Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $21 million and suspected methamphetamine worth about $2.2 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 12) and seized a total of about 47 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $21 million and about 4 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $2.2 million.
The first case involved a female passenger, aged 58, who arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday. During Customs clearance, the suspected ketamine, weighing about 47 kg in total, were found inside her check-in suitcases. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, an 18-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday. During Customs clearance, a total of about 4 kg of suspected methamphetamine were seized in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The investigation of the first case is ongoing. For the second case, the arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (July 14).
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 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/en).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $21 million and suspected methamphetamine worth about $2.2 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $21 million and suspected methamphetamine worth about $2.2 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
