Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving an incoming passenger at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (October 10) and seized about 3.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million.
      
     A 42-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa via Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected methamphetamine in her check-in baggage. The woman was subsequently arrested.
      
     After an investigation, the arrested woman 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 on October 13.
      
     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/Saturday, October 11, 2025
Issued at HKT 15:00

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