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Police this (July 6) morning charged a Japanese man and woman with one count each of trafficking in dangerous drugs.

The duo will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts on Monday (July 7).

Enquiries revealed that officers from the Narcotics Bureau (NB) of Hong Kong Police launched an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking syndicate active in the Mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan early this year.

The intelligence showed that the syndicate used foreign nationals to traffic in dangerous drugs via the Hong Kong International Airport to Japan.

NB officers started ambushing at the departure hall of the airport on July 4 morning.

At about 11.30 am, a Japanese man, aged 34, and a Japanese woman, aged 43, each carrying a plastic bag, were seen heading off to the departure gate.

The officers then intercepted them and found some "ice" in their bags.

The seizure, about five kilograms in total, was worth about $1.7 million in the local retail market and could fetch about $15 million if sold in the retail market in Japan.

The duo was then arrested and subsequently charged today.

A Police spokesman reiterated that trafficking in dangerous drugs is a serious offence. Members of the public are reminded to handle goods of dubious origins with care, and not to be tempted into the crime.

He added that Police would continue to take stringent enforcement actions against the illicit activity.

Police Report No.1

Issued by PPRB

End/0030 hours, Sunday, July 6, 2003 (RCH/PW)

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