Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases involving incoming passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested.
The first case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 29 and 45 respectively, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 11kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $2.6 million in their two check-in suitcases. The two men were arrested subsequently.
In the second case, a 36-year-old British female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, the United Kingdom, via Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 30kg of suspected ketamine and two suspected alternative smoking products with a total estimated market value of about $12 million in her two check-in suitcases and carry-on baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
The third case involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 24 and 26, arrived in Hong Kong today from Xiamen and Bangkok,Thailand, respectively. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about of 3.3kg of suspected cannabis buds and one duty-not-paid cigarette with a total estimated market value of about $770,000 in the baggage of the 24-year-old man. The 24-year-old man and the 26-year-old man connected to the case were subsequently arrested.
The two arrested men in the first case 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 (September 10). Investigations of the second and third cases are 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 also 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 Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong 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 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 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the third case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected ketamine and the suspected alternative smoking products seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 8) and today (September 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 14.3kg of suspected cannabis buds, two suspected alternative smoking products and one duty-not-paid cigarette, with a total estimated market value over $15 million. Five persons were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets
The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:
The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and Nasdaq Dubai today (September 10) jointly announced the establishment of a Strategic Working Group to strengthen ties between the financial markets of Hong Kong and Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).
The Strategic Working Group brings together regulators and exchanges in Hong Kong and DIFC to explore opportunities and develop collaborative initiatives across areas that can contribute to the continued growth and attractiveness of both markets, including sustainable finance, Islamic finance, innovation, and broader capital markets development and markets connectivity.
The announcement was made during the HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference today in Hong Kong, which attracted over 350 participants joining in-person and online across both regions.
This conference marks the third edition of the flagship partnership initiative between the HKMA and the DFSA. It has also been the second year in which HKEX and Nasdaq Dubai are supporting the conference as strategic partners.
The establishment of the Strategic Working Group reflects progress of ongoing regulatory and market dialogues, providing a more formal framework to deepen co-operation, align priorities, and support practical outcomes.
The initiative also reflects a broader commitment to deepen institutional relationships between regulators and exchanges in both financial centres, and to further develop the economic corridor between the Middle East and Asia. Through ongoing engagement and structured collaboration, participating organisations will exchange insights on market developments, discuss emerging opportunities and challenges, and explore areas for future collaboration.
The Chief Executive of the HKMA, Mr Eddie Yue, said, "The Strategic Working Group marks another key step in deepening our institutional ties and market connectivity. By developing this collaboration mechanism, we are establishing a dedicated platform to better understand and align strategic priorities, as well as exploring new initiatives to facilitate smoother trade and investment between Asia and the Middle East."
The Chief Executive of the DFSA, Mr Mark Steward,said, "This initiative reflects the maturing of our shared commitment to collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the discovery of greater mutual benefits within the Dubai-Hong Kong corridor. Cross-market connectivity helps both markets and offers investors greater choices and rewards across both financial centres."
The Chief Executive Officer of HKEX, Ms Bonnie Chan,said, "Global capital flows are increasingly being shaped by the growing economic ties between Asia and the Middle East. As leading international financial centres at the heart of their respective regions, Hong Kong and Dubai have complementary strengths that can help facilitate the two-way flow of capital, ideas and opportunities between the two regions. HKEX's growing commodities presence in Dubai, together with our engagement with exchanges across the UAE (United Arab Emirates), reflects our long-term commitment to this dynamic corridor. The Strategic Working Group is an important next step in translating that commitment into action by deepening collaboration, advancing market connectivity and supporting innovation and sustainable growth."
The Chief Executive Officer of Nasdaq Dubai and Dubai Financial Market, MrHamed Ali,said, "This Strategic Working Group builds on the strong collaboration between Dubai and Hong Kong. Nasdaq Dubai's position as a leading international hub for fixed income and Islamic finance listings provides a strong platform to connect issuers and investors across the Middle East and Asia, particularly in Sukuk and sustainable finance. We look forward to strengthening this collaboration and enhancing market connectivity between the two regions."
About Hong Kong Green Week
The 2026 edition of Hong Kong Green Week, the city's flagship sustainability event, will take place from September 7 to 11. Themed "Future-proofing Sustainable Growth", the week-long programme will feature a variety of events and networking opportunities, bringing together diverse and practical insights across the globe to inspire and drive collective actions towards Asia's sustainable transformation. Visit www.hkgreenweek.hk for more details.
About HKMA-DFSA Joint Climate Finance Conference
The Conference is a flagship initiative jointly established by the HKMA and the DFSA to support and enable the continued development of climate finance acrossAsia and the Middle East. Themed "Driving Transition in a Changing World", the third edition of the conference is also a main event of theHong Kong Green Week 2026. Details of the conference can be foundhere.
HKMA, HKEX, DFSA and Nasdaq Dubai establish Strategic Working Group to deepen co-operation between financial markets Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
