Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 25) and today (October 26) and seized a total of about 30.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $6.1 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, two male passengers, aged 45 and 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Hangzhou and Bangkok, Thailand, respectively yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 3kg with an estimated market value of about $600,000 concealed in vacuum-sealed bags inside the carry-on suitcase of the 45-year-old male passenger. The two persons were subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 62-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 27.5kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $5.5 million, in his check-in suitcases. He was subsequently arrested.
The two arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and they will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 27). 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.
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 cannabis buds at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
