Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 24) arrested three men, aged between 26 and 28, suspected to be connected with four drug trafficking cases through the air cargo channel of which a total of about 8.8 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 3.7kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $8 million were seized at Tsing Yi and Hong Kong International Airport.
Customs officers on September 7 inspected an air consignment that had arrived in Hong Kong from the Netherlands via Italy and found about 3.7kg of suspected ketamine concealed inside the false compartments of three carton boxes. Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 27-year-old man and a 28-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Kwai Chung.
Investigation of the abovementioned case is ongoing.
Also, Customs officers inspected three express air consignments that had arrived in Hong Kong from South Africa and Nigeria respectively on September 13, 19 and 21. In the first consignment, about 800 grams of suspected methamphetamine were found concealed inside the false compartment of a file folder. In the second consignment, about 7.2kg of suspected methamphetamine were found concealed inside 34 bottles of lotion. In the third consignment, about 800g of suspected methamphetamine were concealed inside the false compartments of two handbags.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 26-year-old man in Yau Ma Tei suspected to be in connection with the three cases. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Monday (September 27).
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to maintain close contact with Hongkong 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.
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/Saturday, September 25, 2021
