The Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Customs) jointly mounted an anti-narcotics operation, codenamed "Yunzhan-duanliu", with the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the GACC, and the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shenzhen Customs in March. Hong Kong Customs seized about 700 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of $400 million in the operation at Hong Kong International Airport and a logistics warehouse. This is a record seizure of methamphetamine by Hong Kong Customs. Two men were arrested in the case.
Through risk assessment, officers of Hong Kong Customs first inspected an airborne consignment declared as containing transformers that arrived from Mexico at Hong Kong International Airport on March 18. About 447kg of suspected liquid methamphetamine was found concealed inside three huge transformers.
Following investigation and intelligence exchange with the anti-smuggling departments of the Mainland Customs, Hong Kong Customs made a further seizure on March 24 at a logistics warehouse in Sheung Shui, in which about 253kg of suspected methamphetamine was found in 10 pieces of industrial-use anti-vibratory rubber.
Two local men, aged 43 and 44, were arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
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