Hong Kong Customs Seizes 10kg of Suspected Ketamine Worth $3.9 Million at Airport, Arrests Consignee

Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drug case at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) detected a dangerous drug case and seized a total of about 10 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Customs yesterday inspected an air consignment, declared as cable and arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands, at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed underneath the wire of a cable reel in the consignment.

After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested a 49-year-old male consignee in Sheung Wan.

The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 24).

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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

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 yesterday (April 22) detected a dangerous drug case and seized a total of about 10 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the arrested man (centre) involved in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 22) detected a dangerous drug case and seized a total of about 10 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.9 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Geopark retains global geopark status

The 224th session of the Executive Board of UNESCO concluded on April 23, 2026. During the session, it was officially confirmed that Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark (Hong Kong Geopark) has passed the revalidation and was awarded a certificate, allowing it to retain its global status for a further four-year period.

Hong Kong Geopark was designated as a National Geopark of China in 2009 and joined the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) in 2011. Following the formalisation of the Geopark Programme by UNESCO in 2015, it was renamed Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. According to the guidelines, all UNESCO Global Geoparks must undergo a revalidation process every four years to assess their progress across various dimensions and ensure compliance with the high standards of UNESCO Global Geoparks.

In May 2025, Hong Kong Geopark underwent an on-site assessment by evaluators appointed by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Secretariat. The evaluators reviewed the achievements of Hong Kong Geopark over the past four years and held detailed discussions with various stakeholders and partner organisations of Hong Kong Geopark.

At the 11th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geoparks in Chile in September 2025, the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council recommended that Hong Kong Geopark pass the revalidation with a "green card" while the GGN presented the Best Practice Award to Hong Kong Geopark in recognition of its contributions to preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the Geopark's communities.

A spokesman for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) welcomed the result, stating that conservation, education, green tourism and sustainable development are the primary objectives of Hong Kong Geopark. The AFCD will continue to promote science popularisation, green tourism and the sustainable development of the communities within the Geopark, while protecting Hong Kong's natural and cultural heritage.

Hong Kong Geopark is located in the eastern and northeastern parts of Hong Kong, comprising the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region. Visitors can explore 13 designated attractions and two boat tour routes within the Geopark. Through various tourist facilities, including information panels, the Volcano Discovery Centre, the Geopark Visitor Centre, story rooms and heritage trails, visitors can explore the natural and cultural heritage of Hong Kong Geopark, and learn about the relevant conservation efforts on its behalf.

Source: AI-found images