Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $13.4 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tuen Mun and Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (September 16) and today (September 17) respectively, and seized a total of about 1.2 kilograms of suspected crack cocaine, about 39kg of suspected ketamine and three suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $13.4 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tuen Mun yesterday evening, Customs officers intercepted a 51-year-old local man and seized about 1.17kg of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested. Customs officers later escorted him to a residential unit nearby for a search and further seized about 30 grams of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia. The estimated market value of the drug was about $1.2 million.
The second case involved a male passenger and a female passenger, both aged 18, who arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 39kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $12.2 million, from their respective check-in suitcases. Two suspected alternative smoking products and one suspected alternative smoking product was also found in the carry-on baggage of the female passenger and on the male passenger respectively. The two persons were subsequently arrested.
The arrested man in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of manufacture of a dangerous drug, and he will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 18). For the second case, an investigation is still 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.
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.
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 dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $13.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $13.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
