Hong Kong Customs seized about 8 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $9.3 million at Hong Kong International Airport on August 25.
Customs officers on that day examined an express air consignment, declared as carrying crafts goods, arriving in Hong Kong from Panama and found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside 16 craft articles.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 23-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Kwun Tong on the same day.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of obstructing members of the Customs and Excise Service and two counts of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 28).
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/Friday, August 27, 2021
