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

Hong Kong Customs arrests financial manager and administrative manager of beauty company

Hong Kong Customs conducted an enforcement operation today (August 19) to combat unfair trade practices by beauty companies. An investigation was launched into a retailer suspected of engaging in aggressive commercial practices when selling skincare products and beauty devices. During the operation, a financial manager and an administrative manager of the company involved were arrested for suspected violations of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (the Ordinance). The investigation is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Hong Kong Customs, Photo source: reference image

Customs once again appeals to customers who suspect they have been subjected to such unfair trade practices to contact Customs as soon as possible.

Customs reminds traders that they must comply with the requirements of the Ordinance, and advises consumers to patronize reputable merchants. Consumers should remain calm before purchasing services or products. If they do not fully understand the product details and prices, or do not wish to make a purchase, they should firmly refuse to sign any sales documents or make any payments.

The beauty company implicated in the case, Photo source: threads image

Under the Ordinance, any trader who uses harassment, coercion, or undue influence to restrict or impair a consumer's freedom of choice or conduct, thereby causing the consumer to make a transactional decision, commits the offense of aggressive commercial practices. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Customs has always attached great importance to consumer rights protection and has zero tolerance for unfair trade practices, pledging to continue its stringent enforcement action against unscrupulous traders.

Members of the public who encounter unfair trade practices or suspect a trader has violated the Ordinance should report it as soon as possible by calling the Customs' 24-hour hotline at 182 8080, or via the crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or the online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

The beauty company implicated in the case, Photo source: threads image