​Hong Kong Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $510,000 at Hong Kong International Airport on March 18.
Customs officers inspected a parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Canada on March 18 and seized the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside the parcel.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (March 26) arrested a 28-year-old man suspected to be connected to the case in Sheung Shui.
Investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will maintain close contact with Hong Kong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel or express courier channels.
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 issued a reminder 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/Wednesday, March 27, 2019
