Hong Kong Customs seized about 6 kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $4.1 million at the Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 25).
A 29-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Amsterdam, the Netherlands via Zurich, Switzerland yesterday. During customs clearance, the suspected ketamine was found concealed in eight scented candles inside his check-in baggage. The man was then arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 27).
Customs will continue to apply risk assessment strategy to select inbound, outbound and transit passengers for clearance to intercept different kinds of 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/Thursday, December 26, 2019
