Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 15kg of Suspected Ketamine, Arrests Three in Drug Trafficking Cases at Airport

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

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 15) and today (June 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.7 million. Two men and one woman were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old non-local male arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg of suspected ketamine inside his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested. After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation on the same day and arrested a 26-year-old local male in North Point.

In the second case, a 28-year-old non-local female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected ketamine inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.

The arrested men in the first case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The arrested woman in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 17).

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 yesterday (June 15) and today (June 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.7 million. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 15) and today (June 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.7 million. Photo shows the arrested person (centre) in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 15) and today (June 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized a total of about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.7 million. Photo shows the suspected ketamine seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming local male passenger was sentenced to four weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (August 19) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 78-year-old local male passenger at the Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point on July 15 and seized 1 381 duty-not-paid cigarettes from his personal belongings. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $6,200 and the duty potential was about $4,500. 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. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the 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 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 possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases