Hong Kong Customs Arrests Woman for Illegal Sale of Anti-Obesity Injections Amid Health Risks.

DH and Hong Kong Customs carry out joint operation to crack down on illegal online sale and illegal import of controlled anti-obesity injection

To combat the illegal online sale and illegal import of controlled anti-obesity injections, the Department of Health (DH) and Hong Kong Customs carried out a joint enforcement operation yesterday (May 12) in Tin Shui Wai, arresting a 31-year-old woman suspected of illegally selling Part 1 poison and an unregistered pharmaceutical product, and importing a pharmaceutical product not under and in accordance with a licence.

Following up on a complaint, the DH and Hong Kong Customs purchased two boxes of an anti-obesity injection (see photos) from the woman in question via an online social media platform. The product packaging indicated in Japanese that it contains tirzepatide, a substance classified as Part 1 poison under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap. 138) (PPO). The product is suspected to be an unregistered pharmaceutical product in Hong Kong.

The DH and Hong Kong Customs will continue to investigate the case, and the arrested person has been released on bail pending further investigation.

Tirzepatide is used for the treatment of obesity, and its side effects include hair loss, nausea and diarrhoea. Medicines containing tirzepatide should be used under a doctor's direction and must be supplied on the premises of an Authorized Seller of Poisons (commonly known as a pharmacy) under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription.

The DH strongly urged members of the public not to self-purchase or consume products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. Purchasing controlled medicines (including anti-obesity injections) online poses health risks. Besides the lack of a doctor's assessment of an individual's health condition, it is difficult to ascertain the legitimate source of the drugs. It is also impossible to know whether the drugs were properly stored during transportation (especially for drugs requiring cold-chain storage). This leaves their safety, quality and efficacy unguaranteed.

The DH also reminded the public that selling medicines controlled under the PPO illegally, regardless of the sales channel (including online sales platforms, instant messaging applications or social media), carries criminal liability. Do not risk breaking the law.

According to the PPO, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Additionally, pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons could only be sold at the registered premises of a pharmacy under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. If any contravention of the law is suspected, the DH will follow up and carry out enforcement action. After seeking advice from the Department of Justice, prosecutions against relevant persons may be initiated. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years' imprisonment.

Hong Kong Customs reminded the public that under the Import and Export Ordinance (Cap. 60), import or export of all controlled items(including pharmaceutical products and medicines) must be accompanied by a valid licence issued by the relevant authorities. Any person who brings any controlled item into/out of Hong Kong (whether in person, by post, or through purchasing agents or consolidated consignments) without a valid licence may be prosecuted, in addition to the confiscation of the subject item. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

The DH reminded the public that all registered pharmaceutical products should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the package in the format of "HK-XXXXX". The safety, quality and efficacy of unregistered pharmaceutical products are not guaranteed.

Weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before consuming any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for "Health message on overweight problem and slimming products" for information.

DH and Hong Kong Customs carry out joint operation to crack down on illegal online sale and illegal import of controlled anti-obesity injection Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH and Hong Kong Customs carry out joint operation to crack down on illegal online sale and illegal import of controlled anti-obesity injection Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects money laundering case involving about $11.3 million following illicit cigarette investigation

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 12) mounted an operation codenamed "Sabre" and successfully detected a suspected money laundering case involving about $11.3 million in illicit cigarette proceeds, subsequent to a follow-up investigation into a suspected illicit cigarette storage case identified earlier this year. Two men and one woman suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

In January this year, Customs raided a suspected illicit cigarette storage facility in Ngau Tam Mei, Yuen Long, and seized around 2.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes. A 37-year-old man connected with the case was arrested. A subsequent financial investigation revealed that the arrested man has been using his own and a 35-year-old woman's personal bank accounts to receive payments for illicit cigarettes since 2025. Upon further investigation, another man, aged 31, was identified and suspected to be supplying illicit cigarettes to the 37-year-old man for distribution. Fund-flow analysis further revealed that there were numerous suspicious transactions in the personal bank accounts of the two men between January 2021 and February this year. They were suspected to be using their local personal accounts to deal with suspicious funds, including proceeds from selling illicit cigarettes, and participating in money laundering activities.

Following in-depth investigations, Customs officers yesterday raided five residential premises and arrested two local men and one local woman for "dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence" (commonly known as money laundering) under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO). During the operation, a batch of items suspected to be connected with the case was seized, including mobile phones and bank cards.

An investigation is ongoing. The three arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Relevant offences relating to duty-not-paid tobacco have been listed under the OSCO, enabling Customs to freeze assets associated with related criminal activities. Customs will consult with the Department of Justice to apply to the Court for enhanced sentencing under the OSCO, with a view to heightening deterrence.

Customs stresses that it is an offence to buy or sell illicit cigarettes. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, any person who 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.

Under the OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person's proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years, while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.

Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering 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, Photo source: reference image