Hong Kong Customs Seizes 106kg of Cannabis and 36kg of Ketamine, Arrests Three Suspects

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drug cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $36.5 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drug cases on March 10 and seized a total of about 106 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 36kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $36.5 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, Customs on March 10 inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying household goods and arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $22 million, concealed in the compartment of a pool table. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on the same day arrested a 55-year-old local man suspected to be connected with the case in Kwai Chung.

In the second case, Hong Kong Customs and anti-smuggling departments of the Mainland Customs conducted a joint operation. Through intelligence analysis, Customs on the same day intercepted a parcel from France, declared as aquarium substrates and sent to Hong Kong via the Chinese Mainland, and discovered the batch of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $14.5 million, in 24 bags of volcano minerals.

Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation on March 16 and arrested two local men, aged 58 and 44, in Lau Fau Shan and Yuen Long respectively.

The three arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation. 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 detects two dangerous drug cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $36.5 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drug cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $36.5 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CCIDA sponsors industry to set up first Hong Kong pavilion at 20th BookFest @ Malaysia 2026

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau sponsored Hong Kong's publishing and printing sectors to set up, for the first time, the Hong Kong pavilion at the 20th BookFest @ Malaysia 2026, where nearly 3 000 publications and printed materials from over 70 Hong Kong publishers and printers, including over 60 awarded Hong Kong books, are showcased. The BookFest, taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, runs until March 26.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong pavilion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today (March 18), Assistant Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries Miss Yvonne Ip remarked that this debut Hong Kong pavilion coincides with the 20th anniversary of the BookFest this year. This carries special meaning and underscores CCIDA's continuous efforts in supporting the trade in Hong Kong to tap into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market under the country's Belt and Road Initiative.

BookFest @ Malaysia is the largest book fair in ASEAN for Chinese publications. For more information on the Hong Kong pavilion at BookFest @ Malaysia,please visit www.visithkpavilion.com.

CCIDA sponsors industry to set up first Hong Kong pavilion at 20th BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CCIDA sponsors industry to set up first Hong Kong pavilion at 20th BookFest @ Malaysia 2026 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases