Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs seized a batch of suspected dangerous drugs including about 5 kilograms of products suspected of containing tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC), about 2.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 180 grams of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated market value of about $4 million in total at Hong Kong International Airport, Central, North Point and Yuen Long from August 18 to today (August 22).

     Customs officers inspected two air express parcels arriving in Hong Kong from the United States on August 18 and found about 500 grams of solution suspected of containing THC and 4.1 kilograms of candy suspected of containing THC. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 37-year-old man and a 35-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Central on August 20 and yesterday (August 21) respectively. Customs officers escorted one of the arrested men to a residential premises in North Point and further seized about 400 grams of candy suspected of containing THC. The arrested men have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Also, two male passengers, aged 48 and 38, arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and were in transit to Macau on August 20 and yesterday respectively. Both passengers were found to be suspicious upon customs clearance and were escorted to hospital for examination. They were suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. Subsequently, the two men discharged about 1.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine in total and were arrested. The 48 year-old arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 23).

     Another 25-year-old man were intercepted by Customs officers in Yuen Long this morning and about 1.1 kilogram of suspected cocaine were found inside a paper bag carried by him. Subsequently, the arrested man was escorted to a residential premises in the vicinity where about 180 grams of suspected crack cocaine as well as a batch of drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia were further seized. Investigation is ongoing.

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

     Customs also reminds that cannabis and THC are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.

     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).