Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases at Hong Kong International Airport and Tsuen Wan yesterday (February 6) and seized about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 2kg of suspected cannabis resin, a batch of suspected cannabis-containing gummy candies, chocolate and cannabis oil products, as well as 32 grams of suspected methamphetamine, and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia. The total estimated market value of the suspected drug seizures was about $2.2 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, a 36-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $1 million from her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tsuen Wan yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a man and a woman, aged 44 and 38. Customs officers later escorted them to nearby industrial premises for a search and seized about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds, about 2kg of suspected cannabis resin, about 1kg of suspected cannabis-infused gummy candies, about 4kg of suspected cannabis-infused chocolate, 65 suspected cannabis oil products, 32 g of suspected methamphetamine, and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia. They were then arrested. The estimated market value of the drug seizures was about $1.2 million.
After investigation, the arrested woman in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on February 9. Investigation of the second case 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.
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 dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $2.2 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 promotes collaborative development of smart city construction in two cities
The kick-off ceremony of the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 (HSODC 2026) jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office (DPO) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government and the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data was held at the InnoEX on April 13. Themed "Co-creating a Data Industry Platform for the Two Cities", this year's competition is based on open data of the governments of the two places and their latest urban development needs. It reflects the search for open data resources that drive social development while exploring collaborative models for open data and industry data, thus promoting the collaborative development of smart city construction between the two cities. This year's competition incorporates more international elements, encouraging Hong Kong and Shanghai teams to explore global application scenarios, thereby promoting the advancement of digital technologies and innovation capabilities in both cities towards the global stage.
Addressing the kick-off ceremony, the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, stated that the HSODC 2026 provides a platform for young people, research teams and enterprises from both places to showcase their creativity within the national strategic framework, driving high-quality development of the digital economy. In recent years, the HKSAR Government has actively improved open data, data sharing and flow by optimising data governance, thereby promoting data applications within the Government and across various industries. The development and use of data elements is a long-distance journey. With Hong Kong and Shanghai joining forces, the two cities will contribute significantly to the high-quality development of the country's digital economy.
The Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Pavilion (the Pavilion), staged at the InnoEX, showcased the data application achievements of last year's competing teams in four major areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy. The Pavilion highlighted how these teams utilised data to solve real-world problems and create social value. Furthermore, a forum titled Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation was held on April 14 under the theme "Research Data Platforms". During the forum, data experts and research institution practitioners from both Hong Kong and Shanghai shared various case studies, including the integration of industry, academia, and research; the development and application of open datasets for new energy vehicles; the core advantages and industrial practices of data intelligence; and compliant data-sharing agreements for scientific research.
The HSODC 2026 is now open for registration until June 15. This year's competition continues to focus on four key areas: Smart Mobility, Smart Living, Smart Environment, and Smart Economy, encouraging participants to leverage open data resources from both cities to build innovative projects and pioneer frontier application solutions. Participants will be offered professional training to gain an in-depth understanding of the unique characteristics and advantages of urban data resources in both cities. Shortlisted teams will receive technical training from late June to August, with the opportunity to attend the grand finale to be held in Shanghai in August, showcasing their innovative and unique data technology solutions in front of judges. For more details, please visit the website: hkshadata.org.
The DPO organised a series of innovation and technology (I&T) events in April to showcase Hong Kong's vibrant I&T ecosystem. These include the Smart Hong Kong Pavilion at the InnoEX, the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit, organised by the HKSAR Government and co-organised by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, and the HSODC 2026.
The Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 set up the Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation Pavilion at the InnoEX held from April 13 to 16. Photo shows the Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (front row, fifth right), the Acting Deputy Commissioner (Digital Infrastructure), Ms Cari Wu (front row, fourth right), and other guests visiting the Pavilion on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 held the forum titled Hong Kong/Shanghai Data Co-operation at the InnoEX on April 14. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung (fourth left), the Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Data, Mr Qian Xiao (fourth right), and other guests attend the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 kick-off ceremony on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr Daniel Cheung, speaks at the Hong Kong/Shanghai Co-operation Open Data Challenge 2026 kick-off ceremony on April 13. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
