Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $4.2 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (January 14) shut down a suspected drug storage centre in Yau Tong and seized about 13 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with a total estimated market value of about $4.2 million. A 28-year-old man was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Tong yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a man and seized about 3kg of suspected drugs, including MDMA, heroin, cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms, inside a rucksack carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested.
Customs officers later escorted him to a mini-storage warehouse and residential premises nearby for a search and further seized about 10kg of suspected drugs, including MDMA, heroin, cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms, ketamine, etomidate capsules, crack cocaine, cannabis buds and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.
An investigation is ongoing.
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 suspected dangerous drugs worth about $4.2 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats sale of counterfeit luxury fashion products
Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation in Hung Hom and Quarry Bay between January 6 and 14 to combat the sale of counterfeit luxury fashion products. About 1 000 suspected counterfeit goods, including apparel, shoes, handbags and jewellery, with an estimated market value of about $7.3 million, were seized. Two persons were arrested.
Through intelligence analysis, Customs earlier discovered a retail shop in Hung Hom selling suspected counterfeit luxury fashion products. Customs officers then took enforcement action and raided the retail shop and its storage facility. About 400 pieces of suspected counterfeit apparel, with an estimated market value of about $700,000, were seized.
In addition, Customs earlier received information alleging that suspected counterfeit apparel was put on sale at a retail shop in Quarry Bay. After detailed investigations and with the assistance of the trademark owners, Customs officers took enforcement action and raided the retail shop. About 600 suspected counterfeit apparel items, with an estimated market value of about $6,600,000, were seized.
During the operation, two female shop owners, aged 48 and 53, were arrested.
The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
With the Lunar New Year around the corner, Customs will continue to step up inspections and enforcement to vigorously combat different kinds of counterfeiting activities.
Customs reminds consumers to procure goods at reputable shops and to check with the trademark owners or their authorised agents if the authenticity of a product is in doubt. Traders should also be cautious and prudent in merchandising since selling counterfeit goods is a serious crime and offenders are liable to criminal sanctions.
Under the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, any person who sells or possesses for sale any goods with a forged trademark commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.
Members of the public may report any suspected counterfeiting activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 1828080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs special operation combats sale of counterfeit luxury fashion products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
