Hong Kong Customs detects three drug trafficking cases at airport (with photos)
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The first case involved a 65-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10kg, concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.2 million. The man was subsequently arrested. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 29).
In the second case, two female passengers, aged 57 and 63, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10kg and 12kg, concealed inside vacuum-sealed bags in their respective check-in suitcases. The total estimated market value was about $4.7 million. The two persons were subsequently arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 30-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case at HKIA yesterday. The three arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.
In the third case, two male passengers, aged 27 and 37, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 9kg of suspected cannabis buds were seized from one of their check-in suitcases. The estimated market value was about $1.9 million. They were subsequently arrested. The investigation is ongoing.
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 to 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.
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/Monday, July 28, 2025
Issued at HKT 17:25
Issued at HKT 17:25
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