Hong Kong Customs Seizes 131kg of Ketamine Worth $51.4 Million, Three Arrested.

Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drug case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $51.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drug case on July 16, and seized about 131 kilograms of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $51.4 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

Through intelligence exchange with Mainland anti-smuggling counterparts and risk assessment, Customs on July 14 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying rock sugar and arriving in Hong Kong from Germany, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 131kg of suspected ketamine inside 17 plastic buckets and arrested a 58-year-old local male who came to collect the consignment. Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation and further arrested two 24-year-old Bangladeshi males in Pat Heung, Yuen long, on July 16.

The arrested local male has been released on bail pending further investigation; while the two arrested Bangladeshi males have been jointly charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on July 20.

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 detects dangerous drug case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $51.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drug case and seizes suspected drugs worth about $51.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming passengers were each sentenced to seven months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 by the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts today (July 18) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO) (Cap. 109).

Customs officers intercepted two inbound private cars at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port on July 17. A 38-year-old Mainland female passenger and a 32-year-old Mainland male passenger, arriving in Hong Kong from Macao were arrested. A total of 88 400 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $450,000 and a duty potential of about $290,000, were seized from their personal baggage.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public and travellers that under the DCO, anyone involved in importing, dealing with, possession of, selling or buying 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, its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases