Hong Kong Customs seized about 16.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine from a transshipment container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound with an estimated market value of about $17.7 million on March 13.

     By means of risk assessment and intelligence sharing with World Customs Organization, Customs officers selected a transshipment seaborne container, declared as containing frozen poultry products, from Brazil heading for Japan via Hong Kong for inspection.

     Upon inspection, Customs officers found that some screws of the access panel of the evaporator fan, which was part of the container’s refrigeration unit, were not installed. After opening the panel, the batch of suspected cocaine was found at the top portion of the fan.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Risk assessment has all along been an effective strategy adopted by Customs to intercept the import and transit movements of dangerous drugs in various channels. The department will continue to step up anti-narcotic efforts by risk assessment and intelligence analysis with international co-operation.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Ends/Monday, March 23, 2020
Issued at HKT 18:20

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