Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 12kg of Suspected Cannabis Buds, Arrests Three Mainland Passengers at Airport

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 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. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Conclusion of special inspection and enforcement operations on proper control of dogs

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today (September 6) that the special inspection and enforcement operations on the proper control of dogs, conducted across various locations in Hong Kong on August 30, September 5 and 6, have concluded successfully.

During the three-day enforcement operations, AFCD officers stepped up inspections at public places where dogs congregate, and detected a total of three suspected cases where large dogs were not being securely held on a leash in public places. AFCD officers will follow up on these cases and institute prosecutions accordingly.

An AFCD spokesman said, "The special operation aimed to raise awareness among dog keepers to properly control their dogs in public places and to reduce incidents of dog attacks arising from improper control, while promoting the message of responsible pet ownership and explaining relevant statutory requirements to members of the public."

Under the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421), dogs in a public place must be held on a leash or otherwise under control. The Dangerous Dogs Regulation (Cap. 167D), even states more explicitly that large dogs (weighing 20 kilograms or above) must be securely held on a leash not exceeding two metres in length by a person when in a public place. Contravention of the relevant requirements is liable to a fine and imprisonment upon conviction.

The AFCD emphasised that properly controlling dogs in public places is not only a legal requirement but also helps safeguard public and animal safety. The AFCD will continue to step up routine inspections and enforcement, and appeals to members of the public to be responsible pet owners by keeping their dogs under proper control at all times. Members of the public who wish to learn more about the proper control of dogs and how to be a responsible pet owner may visit the AFCD website (www.pets.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images