Hong Kong Customs detects drug-trafficking case by sea worth about $140 million (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs on October 25 detected a large-scale seaborne drug-trafficking case, and seized about 484 kilograms of assorted drugs with an estimated market value of about $140 million at the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound. A 23-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

     Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, Customs inspected a 40-foot seaborne container, declared as carrying 15 air compressors, arriving in Hong Kong from Northern America at the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound on October 25. Upon examination, Customs officers found about 484kg of assorted drugs, including about 311kg of suspected cannabis buds, 88kg of suspected methamphetamine, 82kg of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3.2kg of suspected fentanyl, concealed inside 15 air compressors. The estimated market value amounted to about $140 million.

     A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of a 23-year-old man, suspected to be connected with the case, in Tuen Mun on November 3.

     Customs believes the operation has successfully intercepted the inflow of the batch of drugs to local markets. An investigation is ongoing. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

     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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).