Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 4kg of Suspected Cannabis Buds at Airport, Arrests Mainland Passenger

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (August 10) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.9 million.

A 28-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

The investigation of the 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 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.

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 today (August 10) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $0.9 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid tobacco

Two incoming passengers were sentenced to two months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 and three months' imprisonment with a fine of $1,000 respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (August 10) for possessing duty-not-paid tobacco and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming local female passengers, aged 18 and 36, at Hong Kong International Airport on June 3. A total of about 23 kilograms of duty-not-paid cigars and 15 grams of manufactured tobacco, with a total estimated market value of about $841,000 and a duty potential of about $100,000 in total, were seized from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.

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 that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco 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 or 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 possession of duty-not-paid tobacco Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases