Hong Kong Customs' "Flame Mesh" operation combats transnational drug trafficking and seizes drugs worth over $50 million
Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-narcotics operation codenamed "Flame Mesh" from July 13 to yesterday (August 17) to combat drug syndicates exploiting transit air passengers for transnational drug trafficking activities. During the operation, Customs seized a total of about 240 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $56 million, and arrested 10 persons suspected to be connected with the cases.
Customs has been monitoring the latest drug trafficking trends involving transit air passengers based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis. In view of the significant surge in the number of travellers during the summer vacation, Customs has stepped up enforcement against transit air passengers travelling from Southeast Asia to Europe and Africa via Hong Kong. During the operation, Customs officers arrested 10 transit air passengers, aged between 18 and 57, at Hong Kong International Airport. A total of about 240kg of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $56 million, were seized inside their baggage.
Customs will continue to monitor the latest drug trafficking trends and identify suspicious passengers based on risk assessment. Hong Kong Customs will also work closely with other customs organisations to trace the sources of drugs and combat transnational drug trafficking through intelligence exchanges and joint operations.
Customs reminds members of the public not to participate in 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 at 182 8080, via its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-narcotics operation codenamed "Flame Mesh" from July 13 to yesterday (August 17) to combat transnational drug trafficking activities exploiting transit air passengers by drug syndicates. During the operation, Customs seized a total of about 240 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $56 million, and arrested 10 persons suspected to be connected with the cases. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
CFS urges public not to consume batch of imported spread product suspected to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (August 18) urged the public not to consume a batch of spread product imported from France due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The trade should stop using or selling the affected batch of the product immediately if they possess it.
The Centre for Food Safety, Photo source: reference image
Product details are as follows:
Product name: Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread
Brand: L'atelier Blini
Place of origin: France
Net weight: 175 grams
Batch number: 12262661
Use-by date: August 30, 2026
Importer: City Super Limited
Ktipiti Extra Red Pepper & Feta Cheese Spread, Photo source: online image
"The CFS, through its Food Incident Surveillance System, noted a notification from the Rappel Conso of France that the above-mentioned product is being recalled as it might be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes due to suspected issue with the cold chain. Upon learning of the incident, the CFS immediately contacted local importers to follow up. A preliminary investigation found that the above-mentioned importer had imported into Hong Kong the affected batch of the product concerned," a spokesman for the CFS said.
As a precautionary measure, the importer concerned has stopped sales and removed from shelves the affected batch of the product and has initiated a recall according to the CFS's instructions. Members of the public may call the importer's hotline at 2736 3866 during office hours for enquiries about the recall.
"Listeria monocytogenes can be easily destroyed by cooking but can survive and multiply at refrigerator temperatures. Most healthy individuals do not develop symptoms or only have mild symptoms such as fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea when infected. However, severe complications such as septicaemia, meningitis or even death may occur in newborns, the elderly and those with a weaker immune system. Although infected pregnant women may just experience mild symptoms generally, the infection of Listeria monocytogenes may cause miscarriage, infant death, preterm birth, or severe infection in newborns," the spokesman added.
"In order to reduce the risk of listeriosis, susceptible populations such as pregnant women should consume freshly prepared hot food where possible, reheat chilled food until it is hot all the way through, and avoid high-risk foods, including ready-to-eat food such as cold cuts, cold smoked seafood, soft cheeses, salads, etc, or cook them thoroughly before consumption, even if they are presented as part of a dish."
The spokesman advised members of the public to stop consuming the affected batch of the product and seek medical treatment if they feel unwell after consuming the product concerned.
The CFS has contacted the French authority over the incident and will continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action to safeguard food safety and public health. The investigation is ongoing.
Spread product, Photo source: online image
