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Hong Kong Customs smashed a transnational drug trafficking attempt yesterday (July 20) afternoon, and seized some 1200 grammes of cocaine with an estimated market value of $1.16 million at the Hong Kong International Airport. A 29-year-old man was arrested.
Customs officers intercepted a man arriving from São Paulo, Brazil for baggage examination yesterday afternoon and found approximately 1200 grammes of cocaine in his suitcase. The drugs were divided into 10 pieces and concealed in five jackets. The lining in the shoulder areas of each jacket was altered as secret compartments for concealment of drugs. The jackets were mingled with other clothes in order to evade customs officers' detection.
The offender, who claimed to be unemployed, will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 22).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Sunday, July 21, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:37
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