Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine (with photo)

     Hong Kong Customs seized about 900 grams of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $500,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on July 24.

     Customs officers inspected an air parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand on July 24 and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed inside five potato chips tube cans and two chocolate spread jars.

     After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (July 26) arrested a 23-year-old man in Yuen Long suspected to be connected with the case.  A small amount of suspected ketamine, a batch of packaging paraphernalia and drug inhalation apparatus were further seized at his residence in the district.

     The arrested man has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. He will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts on July 29.

     Customs will maintain close contact with Hong Kong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels 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.

     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).