Customs Seize 10kg Ketamine, 25kg Cannabis at Hong Kong Airport; Three Arrested in Major Drug Trafficking Bust

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases at airport

​Hong Kong Customs detected a trafficking caseinvolving air cargo and two drug trafficking casesinvolving air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 10 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 25 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 33.5 grams of suspected cocaine, 4 suspected MDMA tablets and 3 inhalation apparatuses with a total estimated market value of about $10.3 million. Two males and one female were arrested.

In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on September 3 inspected an air parcel, declared as monosodium glutamate and arriving in Hong Kong from Netherlands at the airport. The consignee address was a residence in Mong Kok. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 10 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $4.6 million, concealed inside the parcel.

After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (September 4) in Mong Kok and arrested a male consignee, aged 42, who claimed to be a logistics worker. After that, Customs officers conducted a search at a hotel in To Kwa Wan and further seized about 33.5g of suspected cocaine, 4 suspected MDMA tablets, and 3 inhalation apparatuses with an estimated market value of about $26,000.

The second case involved a 56-year-old male passenger, who claimed to be unemployed, arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (September 4). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 14.5kg of suspected cannabis bud with an estimated market value of about $3.3 million, concealed inside silver-coloured bags in his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

The third case involved a 30-year-old female passenger, who claimed to be a domestic worker, arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (September 5). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10.5kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million, concealed in her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.

Investigations of these three 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 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.

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 three drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images