In the light of local demand for drugs during the long holidays, Hong Kong Customs mounted a special operation from November 1 to today (December 10) to combat party drug trafficking activities. Seizures of different kinds of party drugs with a total estimated value about $36 million were made, including about 52 000 tablets of suspected ecstasy and about 153 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds. Three men suspected to be in connection with the cases were arrested.
During the operation, Customs cracked 10 cases of ecstasy trafficking through parcels at air cargo terminals and in town. About 52 000 tablets of suspected ecstasy, with an estimated market value of about $3 million, were seized. A 49-year-old man suspected to be connected to the case was arrested.
Also, Customs officers on December 6 inspected a seaborne consignment, declared to be carrying oats, arriving in Hong Kong from Canada at the Tsing Yi Customs Examination Compound. About 108kg of suspected cannabis buds, with an estimated market value of about $23 million, were seized inside a batch of oat packaging boxes.
Customs officers then arrested a 25-year-old man suspected to be connected to the case in Tsuen Wan on December 8. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers smashed a drug storage centre in Tuen Mun on the same day and further seized about 45kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $10 million. A 43-year-old man suspected to be connected to the case was arrested.
Investigation is ongoing and one of the arrested men has been released on bail pending further investigation.
With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Customs will further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat drug trafficking activities before the long holidays.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
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).
Ends/Friday, December 10, 2021
