Hong Kong Customs seized about three kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 1.4kg of suspected cocaine at Hong Kong International Airport with a total estimated market value of about $3.8 million on December 9 and yesterday (December 12) respectively.
Customs officers inspected an air parcel that had arrived in Hong Kong from France on December 9 and found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed under the packing of hair products. Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 22-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case in Tai Wai.
Also, a female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Cape Town, South Africa yesterday morning. During Customs clearance, a batch of suspected cocaine in pellets were found concealed inside the two pairs of underpants she was wearing. The 45-year-old woman was then arrested.
The two arrested women have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. They will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts and West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts respectively tomorrow (December 14).
With Christmas and New Year holidays around the corner, Customs will further step up enforcement action to combat drug trafficking activities.
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, December 13, 2019
