Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $36.2 million
Hong Kong Customs on August 26 shut down a suspected drug storage centre in Mong Kok and seized about 53.9 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with a total estimated market value of about $36.2 million. A 49-year-old South African man was arrested.
Customs officers intercepted a man during an anti-narcotics operation in Central last night (August 27). The man refused to co-operate and forcibly pushed an officer away. He was promptly subdued by officers on the scene. Subsequently, about 11kg of suspected cocaine was seized from his rucksack. The man was then arrested.
Customs officers later escorted him to a residential premises in Mong Kok for a search and further seized about 42.9kg of suspected cocaine.
After an investigation, the arrested man has been charged with one count of obstructing a member of the Customs and Excise Service and two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 29).
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 on August 26 shut down a suspected drug storage centre in Mong Kok and seized about 53.9 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with a total estimated market value of about $36.2 million. Photo shows the suspected drugs seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $7.5 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (August 28) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 32 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $7.5 million were seized.
A 42-year-old British male transit passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, and planned to take a flight to London, the United Kingdom, today. During Customs clearance, the suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 32kg in total, were found in 29 bags inside his two check-in suitcases. The male was subsequently arrested.
The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 29).
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 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 28) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 32 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $7.5 million were seized. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
