Hong Kong Customs Seize About 28kg of Suspected Ketamine, 4kg Suspected MDMA at Airport; Two British Women Arrested

Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving two incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 12) and seized about 28 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 4kg of suspected MDMA, and two items of suspected alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $11.8 million.

Two British female passengers, aged 22 and 23, arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 11kg of suspected ketamine camouflaged as clothing and about 4kg of suspected MDMA inside the check-in suitcase of the 22-year-old passenger, and about 17kg of suspected ketamine camouflaged as clothing and two items of alternative smoking products inside the check-in suitcase and handbag of the 23-year-old passenger respectively. The two persons were subsequently arrested.

An investigation is 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 to 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 Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

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 a drug trafficking case involving two incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 12) and seized about 28 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 4kg of suspected MDMA, and two items of suspected alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $11.8 million. Photo shows the suspected ketamine and suspected alternative smoking products seized from the 23-year-old passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving two incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 12) and seized about 28 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 4kg of suspected MDMA, and two items of suspected alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $11.8 million. Photo shows the suspected ketamine and suspected MDMA seized from the 22-year-old passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

AFCD investigates suspected dog attack in Yuen Long

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (August 18) announced that, in relation to a suspected dog attack case involving a dog attacking other dogs that occurred in Yuen Long yesterday (August 17), the AFCD arrested the keeper of the dog concerned this afternoon and collected statement regarding this case. The dog concerned is currently put under observation at the AFCD's animal management centre.

The dog concerned was previously detained by the AFCD on July 10 this year in connection with another dog attack case. The dog concerned was subsequently reclaimed by its keeper. At the time, the AFCD warned the keeper that the dog must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length in public places and must be kept under proper control.

The AFCD is currently investigating the two aforementioned cases and will instigate prosecution if there is sufficient evidence.

The AFCD attaches great importance to the matter, particularly with regard to the control of large dogs in public places, and once again reminds all dog keepers that they must keep their dogs under proper control at all times, especially by securely holding the large dogs on a leash to prevent them from causing nuisance or injury to other people or animals.

Under section 9 of the Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D), a large dog weighing 20 kilograms or more must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length when in a public place. Any person who contravenes the relevant requirement is liable to a fine of $25,000 and imprisonment for three months.

Under section 23 of the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), a dog must be held on a leash or otherwise kept under proper control when in a public place, or in any other place from which it may reasonably be expected to wander into a public place. Any person who contravenes the above requirement is liable to a fine of $10,000.

Furthermore, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance (Cap. 169), any person who wantonly or unreasonably does or fails to do any act, thereby causing any animal to suffer unnecessary pain, commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $200,000 and imprisonment for three years.

Source: AI-found images