Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected methamphetamine worth about $1.5 million at airport (with photo)
​Hong Kong Customs today (October 19) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $1.5 million.
A 45-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vientiane, Laos, via Bangkok, Thailand, around the midnight of yesterday (October 18). During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in the false compartments of his check-in suitcase and a rucksack inside the suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
