Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $46 million (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Yau Tong and Hong Kong International Airport over the past two days (November 13 and 14) and seized a total of about 78 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 11kg of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $46 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

     In the first case, through risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs on November 4 inspected an air consignment consisting of eighty boxes, declared as carrying detergents and arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium, at the airport and detected suspicious X-ray images. It was also found that the weight of some of the detergents was different from the declared weight. After a detailed examination of the suspicious detergents, Customs officers eventually found a total of about 78kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $38 million.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on November 13 arrested a 25-year-old local male consignee, who claimed to be a chef, near Lei Yue Mun.

     The second case involved a 27-year-old local male, who arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday (November 14). During customs clearance, Customs officers seized a total of about 11kg of suspected cocaine concealed in stuffed toys inside his hand-carry rucksack and suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man in the first case was charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 16). The arrestee in the second case was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.

     Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).