Hong Kong Customs on September 2 detected the largest-ever seaborne drug trafficking case at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and seized about 535 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value reaching $125 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
          
     Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs officers selected a 40-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying insulated boxes and arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand, for inspection. Upon examination, Customs officers found 1 342 insulated boxes inside the container, of which 364 boxes concealed a total of about 535kg of suspected cannabis buds. The batch of suspected cannabis buds was packed in vacuum bags and concealed inside the insulated boxes.

     Upon follow-up investigations, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested two local men, aged 21 and 47, in Mong Kok on September 17. A 44-year-old Vietnamese man who arrived to collect the consignment was also arrested on the same day.

     The two arrested local men have been released on bail pending further investigation, while the arrested Vietnamese man has been charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on September 21.
           
     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/Saturday, September 19, 2026
Issued at HKT 17:26

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