Hong Kong Customs seized about 220 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $125 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on July 30. This is the largest seaborne ketamine trafficking case detected by Customs since May 2012.
Through risk assessment and intelligence exchanges, Customs officers inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying cotton yarn, arriving in Hong Kong from Pakistan on that day. The batch of suspected ketamine was found concealed inside 162 cotton yarn spools mix-loaded with a lot of other cotton yarn spools.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 35-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case in Fanling on August 31.
Investigation is ongoing. The arrested woman has been released on bail pending further investigation.
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.
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/Thursday, September 2, 2021
