Hong Kong Customs seized about 600 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $660,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on May 5.
Customs officers on that day examined an air parcel, declared as carrying woollen knitwear, arriving in Hong Kong from Chile and found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside eight cotton yarn spools.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (May 7) arrested a 24-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Wong Tai Sin. Later, a small quantity of suspected cocaine and a set of drug-inhaling apparatus were further seized inside the arrested man's residence.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. He will appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 9).
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/Sunday, May 8, 2022
