Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 30) and today (August 31) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 28 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and a suspected alternative smoking product, with a total estimated market value of about $6.4 million.
The first case involved a male passenger and a female passenger, both aged 26 and arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, together yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 8 kg of suspected cannabis buds and a suspected alternative smoking product in the two check-in suitcases and the carry-on luggage of the male passenger respectively. The duo were subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a male passenger, aged 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 20 kg of suspected cannabis buds in his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of both 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.
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 drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
