Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 14) and today (July 15) detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.21 million.
In the first case, during the customs clearance of a 36-year-old Mainland male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $470,000 in his carry-on suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 23-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $740,000 in the shoes worn by him. He was subsequently arrested.
After an investigation, the arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 16). The investigation of the second case 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 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 (July 14) and today (July 15) detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.21 million. Photo shows the suspected cocaine seized and the shoes used to conceal the drug in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 14) and today (July 15) detected two drug trafficking cases involving incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and 1kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.21 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
