Hong Kong's Boldhit Operation Seizes 1,219 kg of Drugs, Arrests 96 in Major Anti-Narcotics Effort

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation

Hong Kong Customs and the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF) conducted a large-scale anti-narcotics operation codenamed "Boldhit" from June 1 to August 31 this year to combat drug trafficking activities exploiting air passengers as drug couriers by drug syndicates. During the operation, Customs, the HKPF, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies detected a total of 74 drug cases, seizing around 1 219 kilograms of suspected drugs including cannabis, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and MDMA, with an estimated market value of over $479 million. Ninety-six persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

During the operation, Hong Kong Customs and the HKPF collaborated with 12 Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies to facilitate close and real-time exchange of intelligence, conducting joint assessments to effectively track and intercept air passengers involved in drug trafficking. The Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, the Narcotics Control Department of the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Shenzhen General Station of Exit and Entry Frontier Inspection, German Customs, Canada Border Services Agency and the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore also successfully detected drug trafficking cases in their respective regions.

Customs and the HKPF have long striven to intercept the inflow of drugs to Hong Kong by adopting a risk management and an intelligence-led approach according to the trends of drug markets and smuggling channels. Both sides will continue to make necessary adjustments in strategy and deployment in accordance with changes in the drug trafficking trends and enhance co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies to fight against transnational narcotics trafficking activities.

Customs and the HKPF remind 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.

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), or to the HKPF's drug reporting hotline 2527 1234 or "e-Report Centre" of the HKPF's mobile application.

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and Hong Kong Police Force seize drugs worth over 479 million in joint anti-narcotics operation 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