Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected methamphetamine worth about $25 million (with photo)
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Acting upon intelligence, Customs examined a consignment, declared as carrying dried black galingale powder, at a logistics centre in Tsing Yi on January 17. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected methamphetamine was mix-loaded with 89 packs dried black galingale powder.
Customs officers subsequently mounted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (January 18) and arrested a 44-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Shum Shui Po. Customs officers then escorted the arrested man to a residential premises nearby for a search and found two suspected drug-inhaling apparatuses at the premises.
Two holding charges with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug have been laid against the arrested man. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 20).
With the Lunar New Year holidays approaching, Customs believes that the local demand for drugs will be increased. The department will therefore further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat different kinds of dangerous drug trafficking activities before the long holidays.
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/Thursday, January 19, 2023
Issued at HKT 20:08
Issued at HKT 20:08
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