Hong Kong Customs Seizes 9.5kg of Suspected Drugs in Total, Arrests Two Traffickers at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (June 15), and seized a total of about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 5kg of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $2.7 million. Two men were arrested.

In the first case, a 24 year-old non-local male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 4.5kg of suspected cannabis buds camouflaged as snacks concealed in his carry-on backpack and one stick of duty-not-paid cigarette was also found inside his carry-on baggage. The man was then arrested.

In the second case, a 52 year-old non-local male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected ketamine concealed in the false compartments of his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

Investigations of the two 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.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (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 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 detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (June 15), and seized a total of about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 5kg of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $2.7 million. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (June 15), and seized a total of about 4.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 5kg of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $2.7 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products

An incoming male passenger was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment and fined $2,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (August 21) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes, failing to declare them to Customs officers, as well as importing alternative smoking products, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) and the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO).

Customs officers intercepted a 60-year-old incoming Mainland male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (August 20) and seized 30 500 duty-not-paid cigarettes and 25 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $212,000 and a duty potential of about $101,000 from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects 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 deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases