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Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases at the airport in the past two days and seized about 12 kilogrammes of suspected dangerous drugs with a total value of about $3.1 million.
On June 1, Customs officers inspected an incoming parcel declared as baby and children clothes from Uruguay. About 2.3 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine worth about $2.45 million were found soaked in some cotton pads concealed in the linings of jackets and blankets inside the parcel. A man was arrested upon follow-up investigation yesterday (June 2).
In addition, Customs officers arrested an incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport last night and seized about 9.6 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis resin with an estimated market value of about $660,000.
The man arrived Hong Kong from Kolkata, India via Bangkok, Thailand. During customs clearance, Customs officers found twelve plastic bottles inside the baggage unexceptionally heavy. Subsequent inspection led to the discovery of the suspected cannabis resin concealed inside.
The two arrested persons, aged 29 and 27 who declared as businessman and unemployed respectively, will each be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 4).
Under the Dangerous Drug Ordinance, the maximum penalty for trafficking in a dangerous drug is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:54
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