Hong Kong Customs seized about 11 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin at Lo Wu Control Point and another 21 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin in a follow-up operation in a hostel at Tsim Sha Tsui. Six men and a woman were arrested and the total market value of the drugs was about $24.93 million.
Customs Officers yesterday (March 15) afternoon intercepted an incoming male passenger during an anti-narcotics operation at Lo Wu Control Point. Around 11 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin was found inside the rucksack of the male passenger. Another male passenger, suspected to be related to the case, was arrested at the scene later. The two men, aged 24 and 23 respectively, claimed to be warehouse managers.
The case was handed over to the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau for follow-up investigation, which resulted in a further seizure of 21 kilogrammes of high-grade heroin in a hostel at Tsim Sha Tsui. Four men and one woman were arrested, including a 19-year-old man, a 23-year-old man, two 34-year-old men and a 52-year-old woman. They all claimed to be unemployed. Among the arrestees, two men and the woman possessed return flight tickets and it was believed that they planned to travel overseas. The case is still under investigation.
In the operation, 4.5 catties of herba dendrobii with a total value of about $470,000 were seized. A female salesperson, aged 39, was arrested. The case is still under investigation and the arrested person was released on bail pending further investigation.A spokesman for the Customs today (March 16) said that the department would continue to step up anti-narcotics enforcement against transnational drugs trafficking activities so as to prevent drug trafficking activities through the Hong Kong International Airport and land boundary control points.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Sunday, March 16 2014
