Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 27) and today (July 28) detected three drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport. About 28 kilograms of suspected ketamine and 8kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $13 million, were seized. Two women and one man were arrested.
In the first case, a 63-year-old German female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about of 28kg of suspected ketamine in her two check-in suitcases and 31 alternative smoking products in her trousers pocket. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 23-year-old Filipino female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand via Manila, the Philippines, today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found about 4kg of suspected cannabis buds in her check-in suitcase. The woman was subsequently arrested.
In the third case, a 25-year-old Filipino male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found about 4kg of suspected cannabis buds in his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of the three 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.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 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 three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
