Hong Kong Customs seized about 24 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $16 million at Hong Kong International Airport on November 26.
Customs officers inspected a consignment arriving in Hong Kong from Europe declared as cosmetics on that day at the Asia Airfreight Terminal. The batch of suspected ketamine was found concealed in milk powder packages inside three carton boxes. A 41-year-old man was arrested.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested two 21-year-old men suspected to be in connection with the case in Kwun Tong yesterday (November 27).
One of the 21-year-old arrested men has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 29). The remaining two have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Customs will maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal and express courier channels.
Customs reminds members of the public that trafficking in a dangerous drug through any channel, including postal and express courier services, is a serious offence. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, 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, November 28, 2019
