Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $21 million
Hong Kong Customs on May 13 and yesterday (May 20) seized a total of about 55 kilograms of suspected ketamine, one suspected etomidate capsule, 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, 0.5g of suspected cocaine and one drug-inhaling apparatus, with an estimated market value of about $21 million at Hong Kong International Airport, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. Two people were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs on May 13 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as a water purification system, arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers detected suspicious X-ray images in the consignment and found a total of about 55kg of suspected ketamine concealed in two water purification systems.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday and arrested a 35-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman in Kwai Chung and Yuen Long respectively. One suspected etomidate capsule, 4g of suspected cannabis buds, 0.5g of suspected cocaine and one drug-inhaling apparatus were further seized from them upon body search and premises search. The investigation of the case is ongoing.
Customs will continue to enhance 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 returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
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 on May 13 and yesterday (May 20) seized a total of about 55 kilograms of suspected ketamine, one suspected etomidate capsule, 4 grams of suspected cannabis buds, 0.5g of suspected cocaine and one drug-inhaling apparatus, with an estimated market value of about $21 million at Hong Kong International Airport, Kwai Chung and Yuen Long. Two people were arrested. Photo shows the seized suspected ketamine, etomidate capsule, cannabis buds, cocaine and drug-inhaling apparatus. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
IMF commends Hong Kong's resilient economic growth and financial system
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Mission published last week the Concluding Statement on the 2026 Article IV Consultation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Following the IMF Executive Board's conclusion of its discussion, the IMF will publish a Staff Report shortly to elaborate on its assessment, commending Hong Kong's resilient economic growth and financial system, and reaffirming the city's position as an international financial centre with advanced digital finance initiatives to position the financial sector at the forefront of regulated innovation in Asia.
The IMF notes that Hong Kong's economy has continued to recover, with growth in 2025 stronger than expected. Reaffirming Hong Kong's position as an international financial centre, the IMF underscores its "super connector" role as a key advantage, while recognising that Hong Kong has advanced digital finance initiatives to position its financial sector at the forefront of regulated innovation in Asia, and has strengthened its role as a regional sustainable finance hub. The IMF acknowledges that policy initiatives, including the development of the Northern Metropolis, can further strengthen cross-boundary integration, support innovation and promote high value-added services.
The IMF recognises that Hong Kong's financial system, supported by strong buffers and robust regulatory oversight, remains resilient, and the risks are manageable. The Linked Exchange Rate System (LERS) remains appropriate and continues to serve as a credible anchor for economic and financial stability. The IMF also commends the efforts in strengthening the monitoring framework for the non-bank financial institution sector, as well as enhancing systemic risk assessments and market-wide monitoring of higher-risk activities.
The IMF considers the fiscal stance in 2026 as appropriate, and highlights that Hong Kong's strong macroeconomic policy framework, anchored by the credibility of the LERS, a record of prudent fiscal management, robust financial regulation and flexible markets, provides a solid foundation for rebuilding fiscal buffers in the medium term.
The IMF Staff Mission visited Hong Kong from March 16 to 27. Discussions were held with HKSAR Government officials, financial regulators and private sector representatives. The Concluding Statement of the Mission's assessment was published on May 15. The Staff Report was endorsed by the IMF Executive Board on May 18.
The IMF's press release on the Staff Report is available at www.imf.org/en/news/articles/2026/05/22/pr26168-hong-kong-sar-imf-executive-board-concludes-2026-article-iv-consultation-discussions. The Staff Report can be accessed from the websites of the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (www.fstb.gov.hk) and the IMF (www.imf.org) after its publication.
Source: AI-found images
