Hong Kong Customs foiled a drug trafficking attempt yesterday (August 18) at the Hong Kong International Airport and arrested a Bolivian man with a seizure of 6 kilogrammes of cocaine worth about $4.8 million.
Customs officers yesterday at noon intercepted a passenger arriving from Bolivia via Buenos Aires, Argentina and then Johannesburg, South Africa, for inspection at the arrival hall of the airport. A total of five packs of cocaine, weighing about 6 kilogrammes, were found in a false compartment in two of his bags.
The 37-year-old Bolivian man, who claimed to be a merchant, will be charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 20).
Hong Kong Customs has strengthened enforcement action at all control points in support of the Government's strategy to combat drugs. Customs officers will be on high alert at all times to foil attempts by drug traffickers to take advantage of the heavy flow of passengers and cargo at the control points.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is up to life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Wednesday, August 19, 2009
