Hong Kong Customs Seizes 16 Kg of Cannabis Buds from Passengers at Airport, Arrests Two Suspects

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 (October 22) and seized a total of about 16 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $3.2 million.

The first case involved a male passenger, aged 24, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 8kg of suspected cannabis buds from 16 vacuum-sealed plastic bags inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $1.6 million. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 35-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, on the same day. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 8kg of suspected cannabis buds from 17 vacuum-sealed plastic bags inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $1.6 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 (October 24).

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

Hong Kong Customs detects case of non-registered precious metals and stones dealer carrying out specified transactions

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 14) detected a case involving a local company that conducted a transaction of silver jewellery valued at over HK$120,000, without registration under the Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Regulatory Regime. The company director was arrested.

The investigation is ongoing. The arrested person has been released on bail.

According to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Ordinance (Cap. 615), unless exempted, any person who is seeking to carry on a business of dealing in precious metals and stones and engage in any transaction(s) (whether making or receiving a payment) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 in Hong Kong is required to register with Hong Kong Customs. Any dealer, other than a registrant, who claims to be a registrant, claims to be authorised to carry out, or carries out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000 is liable to a maximum fine of HK$100,000 and imprisonment for six months upon conviction.

Customs reminds dealers in precious metals and stones that they must obtain the relevant registration before they can carry out any cash or non-cash transaction(s) with a total value at or above HK$120,000.

For the forms, procedures and guidelines to submit applications for registration, please visit the website for Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Registration System (www.drs.customs.gov.hk) or Customs' webpage (www.customs.gov.hk/en/service-enforcement-information/anti-money-laundering/supervision-of-dealers-in-precious-metals-and-ston/index.html).

Members of the public may report any suspected transactions involving precious metals and stones with a total value at or above HK$120,000 conducted without the required registration 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).

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