Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected illegally imported live birds
Hong Kong Customs today (February 7) detected a suspected case of illegal importing of live bird at the Lo Wu Control Point. 112 live birds with an estimated market value of about $15,000 were seized.
Customs officers today intercepted an incoming 26-year-old female passenger at the arrival hall of the said control point. Upon examination, 112 live birds contained in bird cages were seized from the trolley she carried, and she was subsequently arrested.
The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department for follow-up investigation.
Under the Public Health (Animals and Birds) Regulations, it is an offence to import any bird unless it is accompanied by a valid health certificate. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $25,000.
Members of the public may report any suspected activities of illegal import of live birds 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 illegally imported live birds Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
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
