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
CCIDA and FDC lead industries to participate in Busan International Film Festival and Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea to showcase Hong Kong's new creative momentum
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council (FDC) led Hong Kong's film and creative industriesto participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea, promoting the unique appeal and new momentum of Hong Kong's creative industries to the international market, fostering cultural exchanges and expanding diverse global business opportunities.
Sponsored by CCIDA and co-organised by the BIFF and the Asian Film Awards Academy, the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception was held on October 9 (Busan time) and brought together over 750 representatives from the global creative and film communities. The occasion enabled emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and original content intellectual property (IP) rights holders to forge stronger connections with their international counterparts. Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai remarked that CCIDA is dedicated to boosting film productions and grooming talents for various segments of the film industry through various funding schemes under the Film Development Fund (FDF), in addition, CCIDA will set up a dedicated Support Unit for Non-local Film Productions, offering seamless facilitation for overseas crews filming in Hong Kong.
Local filmmakers and their works supported by the FDF also shone at this year's festival. The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative, was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). The screening drew over 200 attendees. Director Isabella Lam, alongside actors Maggie Shiu, Hedwig Tam and Lokman Yeung, attended the premiere and engaged with audiences during the post-screening interactive session, receiving an enthusiastic response that reflected the international appeal of Hong Kong films.
Throughout the BIFF, CCIDA representatives also met with various cultural and creative institutions and film festival organisers, including Korea Manhwa Contents Agency, Korean Film Council and Busan Asian Film School, to explore future collaboration and development opportunities.
On the business development front, CCIDA, the FDC and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, building a platform for co-operation to facilitate exchanges among creative talents and explore collaboration opportunities. This year, CCIDA, for the first time, sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in the ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Sponsored projects included the comic "Disposable Dolly" and animations –– "Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen", "Cirkillation" and "Blacky The Metal Arm Cat". In addition, CCIDA also sponsored the participation of four Hong Kong producers, Trevor Choi, Lau Kok-rui, Kelvin Shum and Whitney Yiu, in the ACFM's "Producer Hub". Emerging filmmaker So Chak-long, whose project was selected for the ACFM's "Asian Project Market", was also sponsored to take part in project pitching activities.
CCIDA will continue to support the development of Hong Kong's film and creative industries and, as outlined in the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, conduct a comprehensive review of the FDF with a view to attracting more private investment and ensuring the sustainable development of the industry.
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) and sponsored Hong Kong producers to participate in ACFM's "Producer Hub". Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Korea. CCIDA sponsored emerging local original content IP rights holders to participate in ACFM's "Busan Story Market" to promote IP transactions, financing and cross-sector content development. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market and set up the Hong Kong Pavilion, where business meetings were held with industry counterparts around the world. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led the industry delegation to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market, during which the film “Dead End”, funded by the Film Development Fund, held its world premiere at the BIFF on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows the director and actors of the film in the post-screening interactive session. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai (front row, fifth right) and representatives of Hong Kong's film and creative sectors attending the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative supported by the Film Development Fund was selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section and held its world premiere on October 10 (Busan time). Photo shows representatives of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency and the Hong Kong Film Development Council, director and actors of the related film. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Hong Kong Film Development Council led Hong Kong's film and creative industries to participate in the 31st Busan International Film Festival and the Asian Contents & Film Market in Korea. Photo shows the Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Miss Drew Lai, speaking at the "Hong Kong Night" networking reception on October 9 (Busan time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
