Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 18) seized about 30 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Vancouver, Canada, yesterday evening. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected cannabis buds was found concealed inside his two suitcases. The man was then arrested.
The arrested man, aged 36, has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 20).
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 also reminds that cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs under the Ordinance. Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of food and drinks.
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/Tuesday, February 19, 2019
