Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $28 million (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 120 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $28 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on August 15.

     Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying chickpeas and arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds concealed inside 10 carton boxes.

     After a follow-up investigation and a controlled delivery operation, Customs officers yesterday (August 17) arrested two local men, aged 31 and 46, who were suspected to be connected with the case in Tin Shui Wai.

     The two arrested men were laid a holding charge jointly with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 19).

     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. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.

     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/).