Hong Kong Customs Seizes 5kg Cocaine, Arrests Man at Airport, Discovers Weapons at Residence

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 today (December 22) and seized about 5 kilograms of suspected cocaine and arrested a man. Afterwards, Customs officers also seized three suspected gravity-operated steel batons and two suspected controlled air pistols in the man's residential premises. The total estimated market value of the seized items was about $4 million.

A 25-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the false compartments of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

Later, Customs officers further seized three suspected gravity-operated steel batons and two suspected controlled air pistols in the arrested man's residence.

The investigation is 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 Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, any person found guilty of possession of arms without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 14 years.

Under the Weapons Ordinance, any person found guilty of possessing any prohibited weapon is liable to a maximum fine of $10,000 and imprisonment for three years.

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

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise attends launching ceremony for trial run of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme

The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, today (December 22) led a delegation to attend the launching ceremony for the trial run of the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme in Qianhai, Shenzhen. Other officiating guests included member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shenzhen Municipal Committee and Director General of the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone of Shenzhen Municipality, Mr Wang Shourui,and the Director General in the Shenzhen Customs District, Mr Zheng Jugang.

Following the successful trial run of the Guangzhou-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme since June 30 this year, Hong Kong Customs has collaborated with the Shenzhen Customs District on a similar initiative to extend the facilitation scheme for the motor vehicle industry to include the land export of electric private cars from Chinese Mainland to Hong Kong.

Under the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme, motor vehicle importers/distributors can submit advance information to Hong Kong Customs for pre-arrival notification and apply to relevant departments for a first registration tax concession on electric private cars that meet the eligibility criteria before shipping the vehicles to Hong Kong, thereby significantly enhancing overall logistical efficiency and convenience.

Commissioner of Customs and Excise attends launching ceremony for trial run of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Commissioner of Customs and Excise attends launching ceremony for trial run of Shenzhen-Hong Kong Motor Vehicle Export Facilitation Scheme Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases