Hong Kong Customs Seizes 29kg of Cannabis, Arrests Two Men for Drug Trafficking at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 18) detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 29 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about 6 million. Two men were arrested.

The two cases involved two male passengers aged 57 and 30 respectively. They arrived in Hong Kong yesterday from Bangkok, Thailand, via Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. During customs clearance, officers separately seized from their checked-in suitcases a batch of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 15kg with an estimated market value of approximately $3.1 million, and another batch weighing about 14kg with an estimated market value of approximately $2.9 million. The two men were subsequently arrested.

The two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 20).

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 also 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 incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming passengers were each sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $3,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (March 19) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 48-year-old incoming female passenger and a 56-year-old incoming male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point on March 13 and seized 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 1 391 duty-not-paid cigarettes from them respectively, with a total estimated market value of about $11,000 and a total duty potential of about $9,100. They were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases