Hong Kong Customs seized about 9 kilograms of assorted products containing suspected tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and solutions suspected of containing nicotine with an estimated market value of about $45,000 at Hong Kong International Airport and in Cheung Sha Wan and Tsim Sha Tsui on March 31, April 1 and April 3 respectively.
Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel from the United States at Hong Kong International Airport on March 31 and seized about 2 kilograms of assorted products containing suspected THC. Customs officers then intercepted another air mail parcel and seized about 4 kilograms of assorted products containing suspected THC in Cheung Sha Wan on April 1. Both parcels were mailed from the United States to the same consignee address in Hong Kong.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (April 3) seized a small amount of suspected cannabis and a batch of assorted products containing suspected THC and solutions suspected of containing nicotine weighed about 3 kilograms in a retail shop selling smoking products in Tsim Sha Tsui. A 34-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case was arrested.
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 reminds that cannabis and 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. .
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, April 4, 2019
