Hong Kong Customs detects drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at airport
Hong Kong Customs today (November 2) detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, three types of products containing suspected Part I poison, and 261 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes, with a total estimated market value of about $1.06 million.
A 42-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds, products containing suspected Part I poison, and duty-not-paid cigarettes inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of dutiable goods, one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods and one count of possession of Part I poison. The case will bebrought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 3).
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.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part I of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance(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 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 today (November 2) detected a drug trafficking case involving incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, three types of products containing suspected Part I poison, and 261 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes with a total estimated market value of about $1.06 million. Photo shows the suspected cannabis buds seized in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
