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Customs officers of Drug Investigation Bureau yesterday (October 13) cracked a drugs case seizing 796 grams of ketamine, 18 grams of cocaine, 94 grams of herbal cannabis, 900 estazolam and 20,400 sticks of illicit cigarettes. The total seizure value was about $190,000.
A 41-year-old man, believed to be a drugs and illicit cigarette dealer, was arrested. He will be charged with offences under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and will appear in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for mention tomorrow (October 15).
It is believed that the seized drugs and cigarettes were intended for sale in discos and entertainment places in Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
About 8.35pm yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a man in Humphreys Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui and seized from him 16 grams of ketamine and one gram of cocaine.
Customs officers later seized from his apartment 780 grams of ketamine, 17 grams of cocaine, 94 grams of herbal cannabis, 900 estazolam with total worth of about $160,000.
Also seized from his apartment were 20,400 sticks of illicit cigarettes, valued at $30,000 with duty potential of about $16,400.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty for dealing with dutiable goods is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2005
Issued at HKT 18:51
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