Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 4) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport, and seized about 12 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.8 million.
Three Mainland male passengers, aged 28, 47 and 53 respectively, 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 the check-in baggage of two of the male passengers, and found 21 duty-not-paid cigarettes and three boxes of products containing suspected Part I poison from the other accompanying male passenger and his carry-on baggage. The three men were subsequently arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
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.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, 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.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
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 detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
