Customs yesterday (May 21) uncovered cocaine from an express parcel, leading to the arrest of four persons, aged 13 to 28.
While inspecting an express parcel sent from Canada to Hong Kong via the United States, Customs officers found 30 grams of cocaine inside. The seized cocaine could fetch about $20,000 in the market.
In follow-up investigation, officers of the Customs Drugs Investigation Bureau arrested a 13-year-old boy at an express parcel service centre in Cheung Sha Wan. They further arrested two men, aged 17 and 28, in the street near the express parcel service centre.
Subsequently, the officers searched a residential premises in Sham Shui Po, resulting in the seizure of seven grams of cannabis, one kilogram of Part I poison “lidocaine” and the arrest of a 28-year-old woman. Customs suspected that the “lidocaine” was intended to be mixed with cocaine before sale on the market.
The 13-year-old boy and the 28-year-old man have been jointly charged with one count of “trafficking in a dangerous drug”. The 28-year-old man was additionally charged with one count of “possession of dangerous drugs” and one count of “possession of Part I Poison”. The two will be brought up for mention at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 23).
The 17-year-old man and the 28-year-old woman have been bailed out pending further investigation.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is up to life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, possession of Part I Poison carries the maximum penalty of an imprisonment for two years and a fine of $100,000.
Ends/Thursday, May 22, 2008
