Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 5) detected a drug trafficking case involving air cargo at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $17 million. Two persons were arrested.

     Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday examined an air cargo consignment arriving from Vietnam, declared as carrying dried food, at HKIA. Upon inspection, Customs officers detected suspicious X-ray images on the consignment and found the batch of suspected heroin concealed in a foam box. 

     After follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation on the same day and arrested two consignees in Sham Shui Po; a 41-year-old male and a 38-year-old local male, who claimed to be unemployed and a restaurant manager respectively.

     An investigation of the case is 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.

     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/Monday, July 6, 2026
Issued at HKT 19:40

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