Hong Kong Customs on November 25 and yesterday (November 26) seized a batch of suspected dangerous drugs at Hong Kong International Airport and Kwai Chung, including cannabis buds, cannabis resin and ecstasy, with a total estimated market value of about $600,000.
Customs officers inspected two parcels that arrived in Hong Kong from Poland and the Netherlands on the above-mentioned dates at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 55 grams of suspected cannabis resin and about 55g of suspected ecstasy from the parcels respectively.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested three men aged between 19 and 23, suspected to be connected to the case, at a residential premises in Kwai Chung. About 1.1 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds, about 780g of suspected "magic mushrooms" and about 310g of other suspected dangerous drugs, including alprazolam, "LSD stamps" (stamps containing Lysergic acid diethylamide) and cathinone (commonly known as "bath salt"), as well as a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized inside the premises. Customs believes that the operation was a successful raid of a suspected dangerous drugs distribution centre.
Investigation is ongoing.
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.
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 Ordinance, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is an offence unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with.
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, November 27, 2020
