Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 27kg of Suspected Cannabis Buds, Arrests Two Women

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 27 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.3 million.

Two Mainland female passengers, aged 49 and 51, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside their check-in baggage. The two women were subsequently arrested.

The two arrested women have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 20).

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 yesterday (August 18) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 27 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.3 million. Photo shows one of the arrested women involved in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 27 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.3 million. Photo shows one of the arrested women involved in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 18) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 27 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.3 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two incoming male passengers were each sentenced to six months' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (September 7) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted two incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 32 and 42, at Hong Kong International Airport on September 5 and 6 respectively, seized a total of 61 816 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $280,000 and a duty potential of about $205,000 from their personal baggage. The two passengers 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, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes 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 importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases