Hong Kong Customs seized about 26 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1 kilogram of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated market value of $30 million on August 27 at Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and Mong Kok.
Customs officers inspected a 20-foot container declared to contain "wooden baffles" arriving from Colombia at Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on August 27.
After examination, about 26 kilograms of suspected cocaine were found inside the false compartments at the container door.
After follow-up investigations Customs officers arrested three men in Yuen Long, aged from 32 to 52, suspected to be connected with the case. A suspected drug manufacturing centre in Mong Kok was also raided, where about 1 kilogram of suspected crack cocaine was further seized.
The arrested persons were charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and manufacturing of dangerous drug, and will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 30).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in and manufacturing of dangerous drugs are serious offences. 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 the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Wednesday, August 29, 2018
