Hong Kong Customs detects three dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drug worth about $19 million (with photos)
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In the first case, through risk assessment, Customs on April 24 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as LED lights, arriving in Hong Kong from the United States at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a total of about 55kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in 23 packing boxes in the consignment. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officer conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday (April 25) in Tsuen Wan and arrested a 58-year-old man and a 35-year-old woman. After that, Customs officers further arrested two men aged 27 and 26 in Yau Tong and further seized about 200g of other suspected cannabis drugs and a batch of packing tools from the vehicle they were travelling in. The first two arrestees have been released on bailing pending further investigation, and the last two arrestees had been jointly charged with two counts of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on April 28.
In the second case, Hong Kong Customs conducted a joint operation with the Mainland Customs yesterday and inspected an express parcel, which was declared as coconut oil, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand via Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point based on intelligence analysis. After examination, about 2kg of suspected liquid etomidate with an estimated market value of about $2 million were found concealed inside 4 bottles. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation in San Po Kong on the same day and arrested two men, aged 14 and 24, suspected to be connected with the case. The two arrestees have been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and the 24-year-old arrestee with one additional count of resisting a member of the Customs and Excise Service, they will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on April 28.
In the third case, Hong Kong Customs today detected one drug trafficking case involving a passenger at HKIA and seized about 7kg of suspected heroin, with an estimated market value of about $5 million.
A 22-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected heroin inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested. The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on April 28.
Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).
Ends/Saturday, April 26, 2025
Issued at HKT 21:50
Issued at HKT 21:50
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