Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $5.4 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (July 25) and seized a total of about 25.2 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $5.4 million.
The first case involved a male passenger, aged 34, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand today. During customs clearance, the suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 16 kg, were found inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 27-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand today. During customs clearance, a total of about 9.2 kg of suspected cannabis buds were seized in his check-in suitcases. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man of the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Court tomorrow (July 26). The investigation of the second case 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 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 cannabis buds worth about $5.4 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $5.4 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CHP announces one new melioidosis case
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 16) announced that one new melioidosis case was recorded in the past week (January 9 to 15). The CHP appealed to members of the public to maintain personal and environmental hygiene to prevent melioidosis. The CHP also specifically reminded high-risk groups, including the elderly and people with underlying diseases, to avoid contact with soil or muddy water after typhoons or storms with a view to lowering infection risk.
The case involves a 58-year-old male with underlying illnesses living in Kwai Tsing District. He presented with a fever and vomiting since January 10, followed by confusion on the next day (January 11). He was then sent to the Accident and Emergency Department of Yan Chai Hospital and is currently in the intensive care unit in critical condition. The clinical diagnosis was pneumonia. His clinical sample was confirmed to be positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei upon testing.
The CHP is investigating the infection source of the case. Initial epidemiological investigations revealed that the case is sporadic. No epidemiological linkages have been established between this case and other confirmed cases previously recorded in Hong Kong.
As of yesterday (January 15), one melioidosis case has been recorded in Hong Kong this year. In 2025, 21 melioidosis cases were recorded.
Person-to-person transmission and animal-to-human transmission are rare, but the bacteria causing melioidosis can survive in the local environment. Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Hong Kong, and melioidosis cases have been recorded in Hong Kong each year.
According to literature, melioidosis cases are more common after typhoons or rainstorms. The bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei in soil and muddy water may become exposed to the ground after typhoons or rainstorms, and the bacteria could spread more easily with strong winds or rainstorms. As such, the number of melioidosis cases may increase.
With this in mind, where practicable, members of the public should stay indoors during typhoons and rainstorms, avoid travelling to areas with potential flooding, and not wade in or have contact with muddy water and soil. In addition, high-risk individuals should avoid paths near stormwater drains where aerosols may be generated from contaminated water.
Members of the public should also take the following preventive measures against infection:
Avoid contact with contaminated soil;
Wear appropriate protective clothing or footwear when participating in activities with possible contact with soil or water, e.g. using gloves and wearing boots. High-risk individuals may also consider wearing a surgical mask;
Wash or shower after exposure to contaminated water or soil;
Always clean any wounds as soon as possible and cover them with waterproof dressings;
Wash hands with liquid soap and water after handling soil or gardening;
Observe food hygiene and avoid drinking raw water; and
Travellers can contract the disease through outdoor water sports. Risk of infection can be minimised by avoiding exposure to water sources (such as rivers, ponds or lakes) that might be contaminated.
The CHP appealed to members of the public to seek medical advice if they develop symptoms, in particular people with diabetes or other immunocompromising conditions, in order to receive an appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. For more information on melioidosis, please visit the website of the CHP atwww.chp.gov.hk/en/healthtopics/content/24/101110.html.
Source: AI-found images
