Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving two incoming air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 14) and seized about 8 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.7 million.
      
     A 41-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds from his carry-on suitcases. The man was subsequently arrested. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 39-year-old male passenger, who also arrived from Bangkok, Thailand, and was suspected to be connected with the case, at the airport on the same day.
      
     After an investigation, the two arrested persons involved in the case have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 16). 
      
     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, March 15, 2026
Issued at HKT 21:34

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