The Customs and Excise Department detected two cross-boundary drug trafficking attempts at the Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal within an hour yesterday (October 3). About 13.9 grams of suspected ketamine and about 39g of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of $63,000 were seized. The two speedy crackdowns were made as a result of a risk-profiling approach.
In the first case, which occurred around 9.50pm, a 34-year-old man was about to depart for Macao. The batch of suspected ketamine with an estimated value of about $8,000 was found in his pants pocket.
About 50 minutes later, a 20-year-old outbound passenger with a potato chip can in his hand was intercepted. The batch of suspected cocaine, wrapped in 106 small packages and with an estimated value of about $55,000, was found in the can.
Thanks to the risk-profiling and intelligence analysis approaches, drug interceptions have all along been made at various control points. Members of the public must not try their luck and put themselves at risk of facing criminal charges.
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, October 4, 2019
