Hong Kong Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 6 kilograms of assorted products containing suspected tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and solutions suspected of containing nicotine with an estimated market value of about $300,000 in total at Hong Kong International Airport and in Tsim Sha Tsui on June 3 and yesterday (June 11) respectively.
Customs officers inspected an air consignment from the United States at Hong Kong International Airport on June 3 and seized the batch of suspected cannabis buds.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday seized the batch of assorted products containing suspected THC and solutions suspected of containing nicotine weighed about 6 kilograms at a retail shop selling smoking products in Tsim Sha Tsui. Three persons suspected to be in connection with the case were arrested. They include a 29-year-old woman, a 40-year-old man and a 30-year-old man.
Investigation is ongoing.
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 Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, June 12, 2019
