Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine at airport (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 9) seized about 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

     Customs officers inspected an air cargo consignment arriving in Hong Kong from Brazil at HKIA yesterday. A total of 14 pieces of compartment cardboard were found inside a batch of paper boxes containing food products. The batch of suspected cocaine was found concealed inside the inner layers of the cardboard.   

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 35-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case at an industrial building in Hung Hom on the same day.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 11).

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel and 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).