Hong Kong Customs seized about six kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million at Hong Kong International Airport on April 15. Three men were arrested in the case.
Customs officers inspected a frozen seafood-declared air cargo consignment arrived from Canada on that day. The batch of suspected cannabis buds was found inside the false compartments at the bottom of six foam boxes.
Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of three men on the same day in the airport. The trio, aged from 21 to 36, claims as driver, student and transportation worker respectively.
A 36-year-old man has been laid a holding charge with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Fanling Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 18). The remaining duo has been put on bail pending further investigation.
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.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Ordinance), cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.
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/Sunday, April 17, 2022
