Hong Kong Customs Seizes $8.9 Million in Drugs, Arrests Three in Major Trafficking Busts

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre

Hong Kong Customs detected a trafficking case involving air cargo and a drug trafficking case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, and shut down a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre in Tai Po, seizing a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660 grams of suspected liquid etomidate, 8g of suspected cannabis oil and 1.7kg of suspected heroin, with a total estimated market value of about $8.9 million. Three males were arrested.

In the first case, through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers on December 4 inspected an air parcel, arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium declared as carrying an office display product, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, about 15kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $6.1 million, was found concealed inside the parcel.

After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (December 11) and arrested two male consignees, aged 46 and 29, in Sha Tin and Tai Po respectively. Customs officers then escorted the 29-year-old arrested man to his premises in Tai Po for a search and further seized about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules of suspected etomidate, 660g of suspected liquid etomidate and 8g of suspected cannabis oil, with a total estimated market value of about $2.1 million.

The second case involved a 25-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (December 12). During customs clearance, Customs officers found 1.7 kg of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $680,000, concealed in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

The investigation of the first case is ongoing. The arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and he will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 13).

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 drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport and shuts down dangerous drugs distribution centre Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Press statement by Chairman of Independent Committee in relation to fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Mr Justice David Lok

Following is a statement issued on behalf of the Chairman of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, Mr Justice David Lok:

"Mr Chan Kin-por, Dr Rex Auyeung Pak-kuen, and I have accepted the appointments respectively as the Members and the Chairman of the Independent Committee in relation to the fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. We fully understand the grave concern of the community over the fire which broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po on November 26. This was not only a serious fire but also a deeply distressing incident that caused great sorrow across our community. Many residents lost their lives, were injured, and lost their homes in the fire. We hereby express our sympathy and condolences to the victims, their families, and all those affected.

In the coming nine months, based on the Committee's terms of reference, the Committee will, regarding the fire broken out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, its rapid spread and the resulting casualties and property damage, examine the causes and circumstances that led to the fire; the fire service installations and equipment in the buildings, and the supervision and responsibility for their effective operation; whether the construction safety requirements, standards, supervision and day-to-day maintenance regime for the building maintenance and renovation works were adequate; regarding the building maintenance and renovation works, whether the prevailing list of materials meeting safety standards is comprehensive, and whether the related verification and testing systems are effective; the roles and responsibilities of personnel with supervisory roles across all stages (including government officers, authorised professionals, contractors and others); and the liabilities arising from the aforementioned issues. Regarding large-scale building maintenance and renovation works, to the Committee will examine whether there were systemic problems such as undue connected interests, conflicts of roles, or improper collusion across all stages of the works; and whether bid-rigging corruption, or irregularities were involved in the tendering process of these works. Regarding the two matters above, the Committee will examine whether regulation and penalties under relevant existing laws are adequate.

Based on the findings of its review, the Committee will make recommendations to the Chief Executive to support the Government in undertaking in-depth reforms, with a view to preventing similar incidents from occurring again.

In conducting the review, we will collect information, and ensure that our work will be open, transparent and thorough. Members and I will do our utmost in discharging our duties. We will report to the Chief Executive within the time period requested of us."