Hong Kong Customs and Immigration Department Conduct Joint Counter-Terrorism Exercise "WATCHER" at Shenzhen Bay Control Point

Inter-departmental counter-terrorism exercise WATCHER successfully concluded

Hong Kong Customs, in collaboration with the Immigration Department (ImmD), conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point.

About 100 officers from Customs and the ImmD participated in the exercise. The exercise simulated a scenario in a joint departmental counter-terrorism operation during a major festival, where the driver and passenger of an outbound private car were suspected to be related to terrorist activities. Officers subsequently detected suspected terrorism-related items and forged travel documents inside the vehicle. During the examination, a suspected bomb device was discovered at the outbound private car kiosk. Officers immediately initiated an evacuation operation, evacuating all persons at the scene in a safe and orderly manner.

This exercise enhanced frontline officers' counter-terrorism awareness and their capabilities to handle counter-terrorism intelligence, while strengthening inter-departmental co-ordination and communication in response to terrorism-related emergencies, protecting the lives and property of citizens as well as safeguarding national security.

Hong Kong Customs and the Immigration Department (ImmD) conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Photo shows ImmD officers conducting immigration record check for the affected passengers at the scene. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and the Immigration Department conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Photo shows Customs using the Mobile X-ray Vehicle Scanning System to inspect a suspicious private car. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and the Immigration Department conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Photo shows the suspected terrorism-related items being found by a Customs officer inside the baggage of the departing passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and the Immigration Department (ImmD) conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Photo shows ImmD officers making use of the Mobile Identification Tactical Unit equipped with sophisticated document examination devices to verify the authenticity of the travel documents held by the departing passenger who was suspected to be involved in terrorist activities. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs and the Immigration Department (ImmD) conducted a joint counter-terrorism exercise codenamed "WATCHER" this morning (July 28) at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Photo shows Customs officers and ImmD officers in the joint operation at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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

Hong Kong Customs today (July 30) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 18 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $7.9 million. Two persons were arrested.

In the first case, a local woman, aged 35, arrived in Hong Kong from Zurich, Switzerland, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about $7.3 million, inside her check-in suitcase. She was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a Malaysian male passenger, aged 27, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.6 million, inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

Investigation 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.

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 two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases