Hong Kong Customs yesterday (July 19) seized about 15 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with a market value of about $15.7 million at Hong Kong International Airport. A man was arrested.
Customs officers yesterday inspected an air cargo consignment arriving from Colombia via the United Kingdom declared to contain 160 boxes of pitahaya fruit, at Hong Kong International Airport. Upon examination of the fruit, which was contained in 51 boxes, 98 pieces of fruit were found to contain suspected liquid cocaine concealed inside. The inner part of the fruit had been removed and then injected with suspected liquid cocaine. After being sealed with glue, they looked like ordinary fruit.
Later, Customs officers arrested a 36-year-old man, who claimed to be a driver, when he collected the consignment at the airport. The case is still under investigation.
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/Wednesday, July 20, 2016
