Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (November 19) and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1 million.
A 27-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Penang, Malaysia, via Taipei yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds in his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
After an investigation, the arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 21).
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 drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Coin Collection Programme
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Photo source: reference image
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (May 7) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of June 1, 2026 up to August 16, 2026. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).
Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to April 30, 2026, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 489 000 transactions, collecting 1 129 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,828 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by District Councils and members of public, and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time, and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.
The coin cart, Photo source: HKMA
