Hong Kong Customs detected three drug trafficking cases through the air cargo channel between November last year and June this year. A total of about 11 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 685 grams of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $16.2 million were seized at Tsing Yi and Hong Kong International Airport. A man suspected to be connected with the cases was arrested yesterday (June 3).
Customs officers inspected an air parcel that was destined for Taiwan from Hong Kong on November 19 last year and found about 325g of suspected heroin concealed inside 13 sheets of laminated paper.
Also, Customs officers inspected an air postal packet that had arrived in Hong Kong from Cambodia on January 22 this year and found about 360g of suspected heroin concealed inside the false compartment of a suitcase. About 11kg of suspected cocaine mixed with 15 candles were then found inside an air postal packet arriving in Hong Kong from Brazil on June 1.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 20-year-old man in Kwun Tong suspected to be in connection with the three above-mentioned cases.
Investigation is ongoing.
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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel or express courier channels.
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).
Follow this news feed: East Asia