Hong Kong Customs on September 10 detected a smuggling case involving a passenger at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and seized 1 746 pieces of pharmaceutical injections containing Part I Poisons, 8 080 tablets of pharmaceutical products containing Part I Poisons and 74 tubes of pharmaceutical ointment containing Part I Poisons. The total estimated market value was about $1.3 million. The passenger concerned was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (October 10) for contravening the Import and Export Ordinance (IEO) (Cap. 60).
      
     Customs officers intercepted a male passenger, aged 54, on September 10 at the Arrival Hall at HKIA for Customs clearance. Upon examination, the batch of pharmaceutical injections and pharmaceutical products was found inside his check-in suitcases and personal baggage.
      
     Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
      
     Customs reminds the public not to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong.
      
     Under the IEO, any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
      
     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling 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, October 10, 2025
Issued at HKT 18:20

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