Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized a total of about 750 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $820,000 from two passengers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport on July 9.
 
     A 42-year-old male passenger and a 33-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 9. They were found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and were escorted to hospital for examination. Both passengers were suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. Subsequently, the woman discharged the batch of suspected cocaine. They were arrested.

     The arrested man and woman have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 12).
 
     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.
 
     Member 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).