​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 16) detected two drug trafficking cases involving air passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 21 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $3.9 million. Two men were arrested.
      
     The two cases involved a 50-year-old Chinese male passenger and a 19-year-old Malaysian male passenger respectively. They arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, via Manila, the Philippines, yesterday. During customs clearance, officers separately seized from their checked-in suitcases a batch of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 10kg with an estimated market value of approximately $1.9 million, and another batch weighing about 11kg with an estimated market value of approximately $2 million. The two men were subsequently arrested.
      
     The arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively. Both cases will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 18).
      
     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.
      
     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/Friday, July 17, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:10

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