Customs officers have for the first time smashed a cannabis cultivating centre in Tai Po this (May 4) afternoon.
Acting after intensive investigations, officers from the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau intercepted and searched a man in Tai Po about 12.40pm today. They found about 0.5 gram of suspected cannabis in his possession.
Officers then searched the man's residence at Kam Shan Village, Tai Po where they found the cannabis cultivating centre with 38 cannabis plants. The officers also seized 70 grams of cannabis and 1,000 cannabis seeds. The value of the seizure was about $400,000.
During the operation, the officers arrested two men and a woman, aged between 29 and 39.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said, "We believe that the cannabis was planted for self consumption, as well as for sale in the market."
The spokesman said planting of cannabis was a serious offence. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty for the offence is a fine of $100,000 and 15 years' imprisonment.
Ends/Tuesday, May 4, 2004