Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport (with photos)
******************************************************************************************
The first case involved a male passenger, aged 55, who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 12kg of suspected cannabis buds in 24 vacuum-sealed plastic bags and one plastic bag inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.7 million. The man was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 51-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, on the same day. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 12.5kg of suspected cannabis buds in 25 vacuum-sealed plastic bags and one plastic bag inside his check-in suitcase. The estimated market value was about $2.9 million. The man was subsequently arrested.
After an investigation, the two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, and the cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 28).
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/Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:30
Issued at HKT 22:30
NNNN
Photo
