Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation
Hong Kong Customs conducted a large-scale anti-narcotics operation at Hong Kong International Airport from October 1 to December 31 last year to combat drug trafficking activities by aviation channels. During the operation, Hong Kong Customs, Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies detected a total of 183 drug cases, seizing around 1.4 tons of suspected drugs including ketamine, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA and heroin, with an estimated market value of over $431 million. Sixty-two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
During the operation, Hong Kong Customs collaborated with 16 Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, maintained close and real-time exchange of intelligence and conducted joint assessments to effectively track and intercept drug trafficking activities. The Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Mainland Customs, Macao Judiciary Police, German Customs, French Customs, New Zealand Customs Service and Thai Customs Department also successfully detected drug trafficking cases in their respective regions.
Customs has been closely monitoring the trends of drug markets and smuggling channels, and has strived to intercept drug trafficking activities at import, transit and export levels based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. Customs will continue to make necessary adjustments in strategy and deployments in accordance with changes in the drug trafficking trends, and deepen co-operation with overseas enforcement agencies to fight against cross-boundary narcotics trafficking activities.
Customs 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.
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 seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes drugs worth over $431 million in joint anti-narcotics operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two persons arrested for suspected illegal Internet sale of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient
The Department of Health (DH)'s investigation revealed the suspected illegal sale of a product containing undeclared controlled medicines via an instant messaging application and carried out an enforcement operation with the Police today (January 14). During the operation, a 27-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of illegal sale of Part 1 poisons andunregistered pharmaceutical products.
Following up on a public complaint, the DH purchased samples of a product named "The Goat Sublingual Strip" (see photo) via an instant messaging application for analysis. The label of the oral pills indicated it was a natural virility product. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the samples contained sildenafil, which is a Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (the Ordinance). The product is alsosuspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product.
The DH urged members of the public who have purchased the product concerned to stop consuming it immediately and reminded the public not to buy or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources.
The DH reminded the public that selling medicines controlled under the Ordinance illegally, regardless of the sales channel (including instant messaging apps or social media), carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law.
The DH will continue to investigate the incident and take appropriate follow-up actions.
Sildenafil is a prescription drug used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and should only be used under a doctor's advice and supplied in a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Side effects of sildenafil include low blood pressure, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and transient vision disturbances. It may interact with some drugs (such as nitroglycerin for the treatment of angina) and cause a decrease in blood pressure to dangerous levels. Improper use of sildenafil may pose serious health risks, especially for patients with heart problems.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be sold in the market. In addition, pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons can only be sold at the registered premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (commonly known as "pharmacy") under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. If any contravention of the law is suspected, the DH will follow up and carry out enforcement action. After seeking advice from the Department of Justice, prosecutions against relevant persons may be initiated. The illegal sale of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.
The DH remindedmembers of the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.
Members of the public who have purchased the above products should stop consuming them immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption. The public may submit the products to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1804-1806, 18/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road, Kowloon, during office hours for disposal.
The public may visit the DH's Drug Office webpage for health message on sexual dysfunction and virility products and virility products found to contain undeclared Western medicines.
Two persons arrested for suspected illegal Internet sale of product with undeclared controlled drug ingredient Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
