Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 5) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 22 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 8kg of suspected cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $16 million.
      
     The first case involved an 18-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, about 22kg of suspected ketamine was found in his check-in suitcase and a product containing about 6 grams of suspected nicotine was found on him. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
      
     In the second case, an 18-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Madrid, Spain, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During Customs clearance, about 8kg of suspected cocaine was found in his check-in suitcase and a batch of suspected alternative smoking products was found on him. This passenger was subsequently arrested.
      
     The arrested male in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of a Part 1 Poison, and the arrested male in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of importing alternative smoking products. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 7). 
      
     Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
      
     Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
      
     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.
      
     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
      
     Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     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).

Ends/Friday, June 6, 2025
Issued at HKT 19:55

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