Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cocaine (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 9.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine at Hong Kong International Airport on June 29 with an estimated market value of about $11 million.

     Customs officers inspected an air cargo consignment arrived at  Hong Kong from Nigeria on the date. The suspected cocaine was found concealed inside a batch of gum. A 54-year-old man who showed up and claimed the consignment was arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 2).

     Customs will continue to step up enforcement actions against drug trafficking 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).