Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport
Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 11) and seized a total of about 11.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million.
The first case involved a 39-year-old non-local male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Ko Samui, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.5kg of suspected cannabis buds were found inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
The second case involved another non-local male passenger, aged 37, who also arrived in Hong Kong from Ko Samui, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds were found inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (January 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 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries.
Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.
In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said.
Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.
Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.
Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
