Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine, suspected nicotine-containing pouches and suspected alternative smoking products worth about $12 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 6) detected a case involving drug trafficking in baggage concealment, possession of poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List and alternative smoking products at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, nine boxes of nicotine pouches containing suspected Part I poison nicotine and four suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $12 million.
A male passenger, aged 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine and suspected nicotine-containing pouches in two of his check-in suitcases, while the alternative smoking products were found in his carry-on luggage. He 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.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
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 ketamine, suspected nicotine-containing pouches and suspected alternative smoking products worth about $12 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
