Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $8.3 million
Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Tuen Mun and Hong Kong International Airport respectively yesterday (May 7) and seized a total of about 1 kilogram of suspected crack cocaine, 30 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 18kg of suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $8.3 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Tuen Mun yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a man and a woman and found about 5g of suspected crack cocaine in their private vehicle. The man and woman were then arrested. Customs officers later escorted them to a residential premises nearby for a search and further seized about 1kg of suspected crack cocaine, 30g of suspected methamphetamine and a batch of suspected drug packaging paraphernalia.
In the second case, a 19-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of both cases are 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 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 $8.3 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth $8.3 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
