Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $4.4 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 22 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.4 million, a piece of suspected alternative smoking product and 79 sticks of illicit cigarettes.
The first case involved a male passenger, aged 21, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 12kg suspected cannabis buds concealed inside tinfoil bags in his check-in suitcase and a piece of suspected alternative smoking product from his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved another male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg suspected cannabis buds concealed inside vacuum bags in his check-in suitcase and 79 sticks of illicit cigarettes from his carry-on baggage. The man, aged 50, was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of the two cases are 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.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who imports, possesses, sells or buys dutiable commodities without a valid licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million 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 cannabis buds worth about $4.4 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $4.4 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
