Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 535kg of Suspected Cannabis Buds in Major Drug Trafficking Bust

Hong Kong Customs detects largest-ever seaborne drug trafficking case of suspected cannabis buds with estimated market value reaching $125 million

Hong Kong Customs on September 2 detected the largest-ever seaborne drug trafficking case at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and seized about 535 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value reaching $125 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.

Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers selected a 40-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying insulated boxes and arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand, for inspection. Upon examination, Customs officers found 1 342 insulated boxes inside the container, of which 364 boxes concealed a total of about 535kg of suspected cannabis buds. The batch of suspected cannabis buds was packed in vacuum bags and concealed inside the insulated boxes.

Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested two local men, aged 21 and 47, in Mong Kok on September 17. A 44-year-old Vietnamese man who arrived to collect the consignment was also arrested on the same day.

The two arrested local men have been released on bail pending further investigation, while the arrested Vietnamese man has been charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on September 21.

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 September 2 detected a large-scale seaborne drug trafficking case and seized about 535 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $125 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds which were concealed inside the insulated boxes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Wounding case in Central reclassified as murder

Police today (November 12) reclassified a wounding case in Central on November 7 as murder.

At 8.58pm on November 7, Police received a report that a man collapsed outside Connaught Place. Police officers sped to the scene and found a 41-year-old foreign man lying on the ground. Sustaining head injuries, he was rushed to Queen Mary Hospital in unconscious state. Initial investigation revealed that the man was suspectedly assaulted with fists and feet. The assailants then fled away.

Police arrested two foreign men, aged 44 and 52, for wounding in Kowloon City and Wan Chai respectively on November 8.

The two arrested men have been laid a holding charge with one count of "wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm ". The case was mentioned at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on November 10, and the two arrested men are remanded in the custody of the Correctional Services Department.

The injured man was certified dead this afternoon. Upon further investigation, Police reclassified the case as murder.

Post-mortem examinations will be conducted later to ascertain the cause of death of the deceased.

Active investigation by the District Crime Squad of Central District is underway.

Anyone who witnessed the case or has any information to offer is urged to contact the investigating officers on 3660 1218.

Source: AI-found images