Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 600 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $700,000 from a female passenger arriving at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (March 18).

     A 52-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Manila, Philippines yesterday. She was found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and was suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside her body cavities. She was then escorted to hospital for examination and later discharged the batch of suspected cocaine. She was arrested.

     The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 20).

     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).