Hong Kong Customs detects largest passenger cannabis trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport in past decade (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 87 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $18 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on March 10. Two men were arrested. This is the largest passenger cannabis trafficking case detected by Customs at HKIA in the past decade.

     The case involved two male passengers aged 67 and 48. They arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, via Tokyo, Japan, on that day. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed in their respective checked-in luggage. Both passengers were subsequently arrested.

     The two arrested persons have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 13).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).