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
DH holds meeting with new Head of Secretariat of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to deepen collaboration and exchanges on tobacco control
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), Mr Andrew Black, for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work.
Mr Black assumed office as the Head of the Secretariat of the WHO FCTC on August 1 this year. Dr Lam welcomed Mr Black and expressed appreciation for his taking time out of a busy schedule to visit the Department of Health (DH) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to exchange views on the latest progress and strategies in tobacco control work.
Dr Lam said, "We are very honoured to receive Mr Black and representatives of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA). The HKSAR Government has been advancing tobacco control through a science-based, public-oriented, multi-pronged and progressive approach. The HKSAR Government's strategy in tackling alternative smoking products (ASPs), including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products and herbal cigarettes, is to nip the problem in the bud, by preventing ASPs from taking root in Hong Kong, and tackling at source the use of ASPs for drug inhalation. To this end, the HKSAR Government banned the import, manufacture, promotion and sale of ASPs, as well as the possession of ASPs for commercial purposes, more than four years ago. To further strengthen the control of ASPs, the Government has, since April 30 this year, prohibited the possession of ASPs in public places to prevent their local circulation in any form and to further prevent the younger generation from becoming addicted to smoking."
"Hong Kong's tobacco control journey is the culmination of decades of concerted efforts to build a comprehensive tobacco control strategy through multi-pronged measures. Adopting a whole-of-society approach, the Government has successfully lowered our smoking prevalence to 8.5 per cent in 2025, which is among the lowest in the world. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the '10 measures for tobacco control'. The full implementation of plain packaging requirement and the duty stamp system for conventional smoking products will be completed by the end of next year. The relevant subsidiary legislation was gazetted on September 11. Following the implementation of these two measures, the Government will proceed with implementation of a ban on flavoured smoking products," Dr Lam added.
Mr Black noted that Hong Kong's tobacco control policies have long been closely aligned with the FCTC, and gave high recognition to Hong Kong's efforts and achievements in tobacco control. He specifically pointed out that Hong Kong's experience is highly valuable as a reference for other jurisdictions. He expressed strong support for Hong Kong's forthcoming measures, including plain packaging requirement for conventional smoking products, the duty stamp system and a ban on flavoured smoking products.
In addition, Mr Black commended the contribution made by the DH as a WHO Collaborating Centre on Smoking Cessation and Treatment of Tobacco Dependence. The DH has, since 2012, regularly provided training for tobacco control personnel in the Western Pacific Region. It also regularly organises training on smoking cessation treatment and Chinese medicine acupuncture for smoking cessation services for the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, serving as a regional hub in tobacco control and smoking cessation.
The Executive Director of SEATCA, Dr Ulysses Dorotheo; Programme Manager of SEATCA, Ms Irene Reyes; Professor and Director of the Primary Health Care Academy of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Sophia Chan; the Controller of Regulatory Affairs of the DH, Dr Fung Ying; and the Head of the Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH, Dr Manny Lam, also attended the meeting.
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam, yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Mr Andrew Black, for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work. Photo shows Dr Lam (front row, centre); Mr Black (front row, second left); the Executive Director of the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance, Dr Ulysses Dorotheo (front row, second right); Professor and Director of HKU Primary Health Care Academy, Professor Sophia Chan (front row, first left); Controller, Regulatory Affairs of the Department of Health, Dr Fung Ying (front row, first right); Head of Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office of the DH, Dr Manny Lam (second row, second left); and other participants of the meeting. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
The Director of Health, Dr Ronald Lam (second left), yesterday (September 25) met with the new Head of the Secretariat of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Mr Andrew Black (second right), for an in-depth exchange on tobacco control work. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
