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Hong Kong Customs arrested an incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport earlier and seized about two kilogrammes of suspected cocaine worth about $2.07 million.
The arrestee arrived from Bogota, Colombia via Frankfurt, Germany yesterday (May 8). After clearing all his personal belongings, Customs officers observed that his emptied suitcase was exceptionally heavy. Following a thorough examination, about two kilograms of suspected cocaine, contained in two packs, were found in a false compartment at the bottom of the suitcase. The seized drug was black in colour and in paste form. It is believed that some substances were added to the drug by the drug traffickers to avoid detection.
The arrestee, aged 64, who claimed to be a merchant, will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistracy Court on May 10.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to keep track of the latest drugs trafficking trend and formulate pertinent anti-narcotics enforcement strategies accordingly. In addition, Hong Kong Customs will strengthen intelligence exchange with various overseas law enforcement agencies so as to combat transnational drugs trafficking activities.
Ends/Friday, May 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:49
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