​Hong Kong Customs on September 12 and yesterday (September 13) detected two drug trafficking cases involving air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 3 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $3.1 million. Two males and one female were arrested.

     In the first case, a 75-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Mexico City, Mexico via Tokyo, Japan, on September 12. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected methamphetamine, weighing about 3 kilograms with an estimated market value of about 1 million concealed in the coffee beans packages in his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     In the second case, a male passenger and a female passenger, both aged 25 arriving in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand via Shanghai yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 10 kilograms with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million, concealed in vacuum-sealed bags inside one of the check-in suitcases of the male passenger. The two persons were subsequently arrested.

     The arrested person in the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Two arrested persons in the second case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Two cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 15).

     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/Sunday, September 14, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:47

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