Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport (with photos)
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The first case involved a male passenger, aged 31, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday (August 24). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 7kg of suspected cannabis buds from 14 vacuum-sealed plastic bags inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $1.6 million. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 32-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Milan, Italy, today (August 25). During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 18kg of suspected ketamine from six transparent plastic bags inside his check-in suitcase with an estimated market value of about $8.3 million. The man was subsequently arrested.
After an investigation, the arrested man in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 26). For the second case, an 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 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, August 25, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:55
Issued at HKT 20:55
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