Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport (with photos)
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In the first case, a 23-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday afternoon. During customs clearance, Customs officer found about 3.4 kg of suspected cocaine concealed inside two statues in her check-in suitcase. Thirty-four duty-not-paid cigarettes and one piece of alternative smoking were also found inside her carry-on baggage. The woman was then arrested.
In the second case, a 22-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 16kg of suspected cannabis buds inside her check-in baggage. She was subsequently arrested.
Investigations of the two cases are ongoing.
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 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.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, importing an alternative smoking product is liable to a maximum fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
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, June 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:15
Issued at HKT 22:15
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