Hong Kong Customs Seizes 7kg of Cannabis Buds, Arrests Three in Drug Trafficking Bust at Airport

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (September 19), and seized a total of about 7 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $ 1.4 million. Three men were arrested.

In the first case, a 40-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in snack packaging inside his carry-on backpack. The man was then arrested.

In the second case, two Mainland male passengers, aged 35 and 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 6kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in the snack packaging inside the carry-on baggage of one of the male passengers. The two men were subsequently arrested.

Investigations of the two 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 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 detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected smuggled silver ingots worth about $1 million

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 18) detected a suspected smuggling case involving an outgoing private vehicle at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port and seized about 50 kilograms of suspected smuggled silver ingots with an estimated market value of about $1 million.

Based on risk assessment that day, Customs intercepted an outgoing private vehicle at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point. Upon inspection, the batch of suspected smuggled silver ingots was found at the lower-deck storage compartment of the boot. A 30-year-old male driver was arrested and has been charged with one count of attempting to export unmanifested cargo. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on September 21.

Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years upon conviction.

Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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 seizes suspected smuggled silver ingots worth about $1 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases