Hong Kong Customs detects largest airborne inbound dangerous drugs case this year (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 3) seized about 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $24 million at Hong Kong International Airport. This is the largest inbound dangerous drugs case detected by Customs at the airport this year.

     Customs officers yesterday inspected an air consignment arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands and found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside 42 powdered formula cans.

     Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a man suspected to be in connection with the case in Yau Tong on the same day.

     The arrested man, aged 20, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 5).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement actions against drug trafficking activities through air cargo, postal parcel and express courier channels, as well as maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries, with a view to intercepting the inflow of drugs to Hong Kong.

     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).