Hong Kong Customs seized about 970 grams of suspected ketamine, 88 grams of suspected ecstasy and 1.85 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport on May 15 and yesterday (May 17) respectively.
Customs officers inspected an air mail parcel arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands on May 15 and found the batch of suspected ketamine and suspected ecstasy in the parcel.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 25-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Shatin.
Also, a male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai, United Arab Emirates yesterday. During Customs clearance, four pieces of clothing were found soaked with suspected cocaine. The 23-year-old man was then arrested.
The two arrested men have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 20.
Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcels 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.
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/Saturday, May 18, 2019
