Hong Kong Customs Seizes About 6kg of Suspected Cannabis Buds, Arrests Two Men at Airport

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

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (September 25) and seized about 6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $1.2 million. Two men were arrested.

The two cases involved two Mainland male passengers, aged 31 and 36. They arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in snack packaging from each of their carry-on suitcases. 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 detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (Sep 25) and seized about 6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $1.2 million. Two men were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized from the carry-on suitcase of the 31-year-old male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected two trafficking drugs cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport today (Sep 25) and seized about 6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, with a total estimated market value of about $1.2 million. Two men were arrested. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized from the carry-on suitcase of the 36-year-old male passenger. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes

Three incoming passengers were sentenced to six to eight months' imprisonment and fined $1,000 to $2,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (November 11) for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted three incoming Mainland male passengers, aged 43, 56 and 41, at Hong Kong International Airport on October 28 and yesterday (November 10) and seized a total of about 175 900 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $827,800 and a duty potential of about $581,700, from their personal baggage. The passengers were subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, 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.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette 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).

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Three incoming passengers convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases