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

Labour Department highly concerned about fatal work accident that happened in Sha Tin today

The Labour Department (LD) is highly concerned about a fatal work accident that happened on a construction site in Sha Tin this morning (November 5). While washing vehicle tyres on the vehicular lane at a site entrance, a female worker was run over by a grab lorry to death. The LD is saddened by the death of the worker and expresses its deepest sympathy to the deceased’s family members.

The LD's spokesman said, "We commenced an immediate on-site investigation as soon as we were notified of the accident and issued suspension notices to the contractors concerned, suspending any work on the vehicular lane at the site. The contractors cannot resume the work process until the LD is satisfied that suitable measures to abate the relevant risks have been taken."

The spokesman added, "We will complete the investigation as soon as possible to identify the cause of the accident, ascertain the liability of the duty holders and recommend improvement measures. We will take actions pursuant to the law if any violations are found during the investigation."

To prevent workers from being struck by vehicles, the LD reminds employers to take adequate precautionary measures, including placing suitable barriers to segregate workers from vehicular lanes. If setting up barriers is not feasible, employers shall ensure that workers keep a safe working distance from vehicles. In addition, employers shall provide reflective vests to workers and ensure their proper use.

The general duty provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Ordinance require employers to provide safe working environments, plant and systems of work for their employees. Those who contravene the relevant provisions are liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for two years.

In regard to today's accident, the LD will issue a Work Safety Alert through its mobile application "OSH 2.0", website and email, giving a brief account of the accident concerned to duty holders, workers' unions, professional bodies of safety practitioners and others, and reminding the industry of the importance of following safety precautionary measures to prevent a recurrence of similar accidents.

The LD will also remind the employer concerned of the liability for employees' compensation under the Employees' Compensation Ordinance, assist family members of the deceased to claim employees' compensation and closely follow up on the case. For those with financial difficulties, the LD will assist them to apply for appropriate emergency funds. Subject to the needs and wishes of family members of the deceased, the LD will also liaise with the Social Welfare Department for financial or other assistance.

For the sake of securing the safety and health of employees at work, the LD appeals to employers to provide plant and systems of work that are safe and without risks to health. Employees should also co-operate with their employers, adopt all safety measures and use personal protective equipment provided properly to avoid endangering their own work safety and that of other workers.

Source: AI-found images