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Hong Kong Customs foiled two drug trafficking attempts at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 28) and seized a total of about 4.34 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $4.3 million. Two passengers were arrested.
Customs Officers yesterday afternoon intercepted a 41-year-old woman arriving from São Paulo, Brazil in transit Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She carried two bags with several packs of candy and various used items. Upon X-ray inspection, suspicious images were shown on the candies and false compartments inside two nylon bags, gift boxes and a keyboard. Customs officers found a total of about 1.34 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine after thorough examination.
On the same day, Customs Officers intercepted a 21-year-old man arriving from São Paulo, Brazil in transit Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for inspection and found about 3 kilogrammes of suspected liquid cocaine inside three bottles of hair care products carried by him. It is believed that the drugs were concealed by the drug traffickers in such a way to avoid detection.
The arrestees, both claimed as merchants, were charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court tomorrow (July 30).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is up to 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/Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Issued at HKT 20:50
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