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Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement operations to combat smuggling activities of controlled injections and medicines (with photos)
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     In view of the increasing demand for injections and medicines from society and an upward trend of related smuggling cases, Hong Kong Customs has conducted special operations since late January to strengthen enforcement against the smuggling of controlled injections and medicines.

     Since the operations, Customs has detected nine suspected smuggling cases of controlled injections and medicines. Approximately 100 000 vials of injections, as well as 340 000 tablets and 60 kilograms of suspected controlled medicines, with an estimated market value of over $140 million, have been seized. Among them, six cases involved inbound smuggling of injections through parcel and cargo channels, while the remaining three cases involved outbound smuggling of injections and medicines by sea.

     During the operations, four persons aged between 26 and 61 were arrested. Among them, three were suspected recipients of the parcels, while the remaining one was a suspected online shop operator.

     Investigations of the above-mentioned cases are ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.

     Smuggling is a serious offence. Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting unmanifested cargo is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years. 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 $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.

     Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two 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/Monday, February 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:46
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In view of the increasing demand for injections and medicines from society and an upward trend of related smuggling cases, Hong Kong Customs has conducted special operations since late January to strengthen enforcement against the smuggling of controlled injections and medicines. Since the operations, Customs has detected nine suspected smuggling cases of controlled injections and medicines. Photo shows suspected smuggled injections seized.
In view of the increasing demand for injections and medicines from society and an upward trend of related smuggling cases, Hong Kong Customs has conducted special operations since late January to strengthen enforcement against the smuggling of controlled injections and medicines. Since the operations, Customs has detected nine suspected smuggling cases of controlled injections and medicines. Photo shows some of the suspected smuggled injections seized.