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Author Archives: hksar gov

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine and cocaine (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about three kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 1.4kg of suspected cocaine at Hong Kong International Airport with a total estimated market value of about $3.8 million on December 9 and yesterday (December 12) respectively. 

     Customs officers inspected an air parcel that had arrived in Hong Kong from France on December 9 and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed under the packing of hair products. Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 22-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case in Tai Wai.

     Also, a female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Cape Town, South Africa yesterday morning. During Customs clearance, a batch of suspected cocaine in pellets were found concealed inside the two pairs of underpants she was wearing. The 45-year-old woman was then arrested.

     The two arrested women have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts and West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts respectively tomorrow (December 14). 

     With Christmas and New Year holidays around the corner, Customs will further step up enforcement action to combat 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

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East Asia

Suspected MERS case reported

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 13) reported a suspected case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and again urged the public to pay special attention to safety during travel, taking due consideration of the health risks in the places they visit. The case is detailed below:
 

Sex Female
Age 36
Affected area involved Jordan
High-risk exposure Camel ride
Hospital Kwong Wah Hospital
Condition Stable
MERS-Coronavirus preliminary test result Negative
 
     Separately, the CHP reported that the suspected MERS case pending results yesterday (December 12), upon preliminary testing, tested negative for MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV).

     “Travellers to the Middle East should avoid going to farms, barns or markets with camels; avoid contact with sick persons and animals, especially camels, birds or poultry; and avoid unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities. We strongly advise travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to abstain from arranging camel rides and activities involving direct contact with camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS Coronavirus (MERS-CoV),” a spokesman for the CHP said.
 
     Locally, the CHP’s surveillance with public and private hospitals, with practising doctors and at boundary control points is firmly in place. Inbound travellers and members of the public who recently visited the Middle East and developed relevant symptoms within 14 days will be classified as suspected MERS cases. They will be taken to public hospitals for isolation and management until their specimens test negative for MERS-CoV.
 
     Travellers to affected areas should maintain vigilance, adopt appropriate health precautions and take heed of personal, food and environmental hygiene. The public may visit the MERS pages of the CHP and its Travel Health Service, MERS statistics in affected areas, the CHP’s Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and the World Health Organization’s latest news for more information and health advice. Tour leaders and tour guides operating overseas tours are advised to refer to the CHP’s health advice on MERS. read more

East Asia