Hong Kong Customs Seizes 24.5 kg of Cannabis in Two Drug Trafficking Cases at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 26) and seized about 24.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $5.6 million.

The first case involved a male passenger, aged 55, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 12kg of suspected cannabis buds in 24 vacuum-sealed plastic bags and one plastic bag inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.7 million. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 51-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, on the same day. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 12.5kg of suspected cannabis buds in 25 vacuum-sealed plastic bags and one plastic bag inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.9 million. The man was subsequently arrested.

After an investigation, the two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 28).

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).

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK

To improve the complaint handling mechanism of the Medical Council of Hong Kong (MCHK), the Government will introduce a bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of this year to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance. The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, chaired the first consultation meeting today (January 16) to meet with representatives of patient groups and listen to their views.

Professor Lo said, "Members of the public have very high expectations of the MCHK in actively discharging their primary responsibility of safeguarding doctors' professional standards and ethical conduct. Patient groups are important stakeholders. They offered highly constructive suggestions at today's meeting. I look forward to continuing in-depth discussions with other stakeholders to explore proposals to improve the complaint handling mechanism of the MCHK, with a view to maintaining public trust in the medical profession."

At the request of the Secretary for Health, the MCHK earlier submitted a report on improving its complaint handling mechanism to the Health Bureau. The Health Bureau is reviewing the report and the supplementary information subsequently provided by the MCHK, and will consider the report's recommendations and the operational needs of the MCHK in proposing amendments to the Ordinance.

The Health Bureau will continue the consultation work by meeting with professional bodies and relevant stakeholders shortly to listen to their views.

Government launches consultation work on improving complaint handling mechanism of MCHK Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases