Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 19) seized about one kilogram of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.65 million in Kwai Chung. A 17-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Kwai Chung yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a man and found the batch of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by him. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man, who claimed to be unemployed, is 17 years old and has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 21).
Customs does not rule out that drug syndicates will recruit youngsters to carry out drug trafficking activities during the summer holidays. Parents should keep an eye on their children's friends to prevent them from taking drugs or participating in drug trafficking activities under peer influence.
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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