Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 10 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $11 million at Hong Kong International Airport on June 1.

     Customs officers inspected an air consignment that had arrived in Hong Kong from the Netherlands on that day and found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside the compartments of 10 unassembled office chairs.

     Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (June 2) arrested a 61-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Kwai Chung.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 4).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement actions against drug trafficking activities through air cargo, postal parcel and express courier channels, as well as maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries, with a view to intercepting the inflow of drugs to Hong Kong.

     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).