Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 18) seized about 16.9 kilograms of suspected cocaine in total in Wan Chai, Mong Kok and Tin Shui Wai. The market value of the suspected drugs seized was about $18 million.
Customs officers intercepted a man in Wan Chai yesterday evening and found about 5.8kg of suspected cocaine in a handbag. The man was arrested at the scene. Afterwards Customs officers further found about 100 grams of suspected cocaine on him and in his residence.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested another man in Tsim Sha Tsui. He was escorted to a storage unit in Mong Kok and about 10.4kg of suspected cocaine was seized there. The man was later escorted to a hotel in Tin Shui Wai for a search. As a result another 600g of suspected cocaine was seized.
The two men, aged 41 and 29 and both claiming to be unemployed, were arrested for suspected trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case is still under investigation.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Tuesday, May 19, 2015
