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Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 24) arrested an outgoing passenger at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 2.31 kilogrammes of suspected methamphetamine with a market value of about $0.94 million.
Officers of the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau arrested the passenger who was about to depart for Melbourne, Australia, at the airport. The drugs were found concealed in the false compartments of seven handbags inside a check-in suitcase of the passenger.
The 78-year-old man, 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 (June 26).
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 step up anti-narcotics enforcement against transnational drug trafficking activities through Hong Kong International Airport. The department will strengthen intelligence exchanges with various overseas law enforcement agencies to combat transnational drug trafficking.
Ends/Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Issued at HKT 17:30
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