​Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (July 15) and today (July 16), and seized a total of about 22 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $4.1 million. Two women and one man were arrested.

     In the first case, two Filipino female passengers, aged 26 and 33, arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of 12kg of suspected cannabis buds inside their check-in suitcases. The two women were subsequently arrested.

     In the second case, a 47-year-old Chinese male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand via Manila, the Philippines, today. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds inside his check-in suitcase. He was then arrested.

     The two arrested women in the first 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 (July 17). The investigation of the second 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 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/Thursday, July 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 22:44

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