Hong Kong Customs Seizes Suspected Drugs Worth About $6.8 Million at Airport, Arrests Two Passengers

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

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport for two consecutive days (October 17 and 18) and seized about 5.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 17kg of suspected cannabis buds and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets, with a total estimated market value of about $6.8 million.

In the first case, a 40-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from São Paulo, Brazil, via Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday (October 17). During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3.3 million inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, a 52-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (October 18). During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million in her check-in suitcase, and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets in her carry-on backpack. The woman was subsequently arrested.

Investigation of the two cases is 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 drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport for two consecutive days (October 17 and 18) and seized about 5.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 17kg of suspected cannabis buds and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets, with a total estimated market value of about $6.8 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the second case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport for two consecutive days (October 17 and 18) and seized about 5.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 17kg of suspected cannabis buds and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets, with a total estimated market value of about $6.8 million. Photo shows the suspected cocaine seized in the first case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Latest updates on passenger traffic at Huanggang Port

The Security Bureau (SB) today (October 18) said that outbound passenger flow at the Huanggang Port had increased significantly since around 11am this morning. Around 19 000 passengers departed for the Mainland via the Huanggang Port between 12 noon and 2pm, representing an increase of 835 per cent (over eight times) compared with the same period in the past at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point. During the peak hour between 1pm and 2pm, as many as 9 728 outbound passenger trips were recorded within one hour, representing an increase of 899 per cent (nearly nine times) compared with the same period in the past at the Huanggang Port/Lok Ma Chau Control Point.

In view of this, the Immigration Department (ImmD) immediately opened all clearance channels and counters at the departure hall on L5 to expedite passenger flow, and implemented crowd diversion and control measures on L2 and L5 in collaboration with the Police. For passengers entering the Huanggang Port during the peak hours mentioned above, the waiting time for crowd diversion arrangements on L2 was about 30 to 45 minutes, while the waiting time inside the departure hall on L5 was maintained within 30 minutes.

The ImmD has disseminated the latest waiting time information via the "Easy Boundary" platform, and advised members of the public and travellers to plan their journeys in advance and consider using other boundary control points for departure.

The outbound peak gradually subsided from around 2pm today. Crowd diversion and control measures on L2 were lifted at 2.10pm, and the waiting time at the departure hall on L5 had dropped to under 15 minutes by 2.40pm.

In fact, relevant departments had already assessed the potential surge in passenger flow during peak hours and formulated plans for diversion, queue management and inter-departmental co-ordination during an earlier large-scale drill at the Huanggang Port involving around 20 000 participants. Faced with this sudden surge in passengers, the various contingency plans were activated promptly and overall operations remained generally smooth.

The SB will continue to work with the ImmD, the Police and other relevant departments to closely monitor the situation at the port and passenger flow. Timely reviews will be conducted and corresponding contingency measures will be adopted in light of actual circumstances to ensure the smooth operation of clearance arrangements and public services.

Latest updates on passenger traffic at Huanggang Port Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Latest updates on passenger traffic at Huanggang Port Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases