Hong Kong Customs steps up enforcement action against cross-boundary drug trafficking between Hong Kong and Macao (with photos)

     Hong Kong Customs has stepped up enforcement action against drug trafficking activities between Hong Kong and Macao during the period of March 18 and yesterday (May 4) and detected 11 cases with seizures of about 1.5 kilograms of different kinds of suspected dangerous drugs. The estimated market value of the seizure is about $1.34 million and 12 persons were arrested.

     Of the abovementioned cases, ten were effected at Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal in which one was an inbound case and nine were outbound cases, while the remaining one was an inbound case effected at China Ferry Terminal.

     The seized suspected dangerous drugs, including heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, methamphetamine and cannabis buds, were found concealed inside the clothes, shoes and personal belongings of the arrested persons.

     One of the arrested persons is a 17-year-old student, and the rest aged between 20 and 39.

     Except the inbound case detected on April 28 during which about 1.3 kg of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $1.18 million was seized at Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal, each of the other cases only involved a small quantity of suspected dangerous drugs which were packed in small packages for further distribution.

     Customs believes that the arrested persons attempted to traffick in drugs by using the "ants moving home" tactic at different time period.

     A Customs spokesman stresses that stringent enforcement action would be taken at the incoming and outgoing passage of every boundary control point.

     The spokesman reminds members of the public, in particular the youth that they should not take any chances and think hiding small quantity of dangerous drugs can easily evade investigation. They also should not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. Trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence and will lead to a criminal record upon conviction. This would exert considerable impact on further education as well as other aspects.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, 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 the Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

     The spokesman reiterates that Hong Kong Customs will continue to strengthen law enforcement actions at all control points to combat cross-boundary trafficking activities of dangerous drugs.