Hong Kong Customs seized about 2.1 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth about $2.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport today (March 19) and arrested a male passenger in transit.
The man arrived from Johannesburg, South Africa via Dubai, United Arab Emirates this morning and intended to connect flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Customs officers intercepted him during patrol at the transit area. He was found to have a plastic bag on hand and there were six candy boxes inside. In-depth examination led to the detection of 110 pellets of suspected cocaine with a total of about 2.1 kilograms, all wrapped as candies.
The arrested man, aged 29 and claimed to be unemployed, was charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts on March 21.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Saturday, March 19, 2016
