Hong Kong Customs cracked a transnational drug trafficking attempt and seized a total of 196 kilogrammes of ketamine, with an estimated value of $23 million, at the Hong Kong International Airport last week. A local 31-year-old man was arrested.
On July 11, Customs officers of the Airport Command during customs clearance inspected a cargo shipment declared to be containing "bags" in three cartons from Bombay, India. As a result, a total of 196 kilogrammes of ketamine were uncovered. Also found from the cartons were six packs of rice and five packs of sugar.
The Customs Drug Investigation Bureau immediately took over the case and carried out in-depth investigation, leading to the arrest of a local man today (July 21). He has been released on bail of $5,000.
Initial information found that the drugs were destined for Taiwan through transshipment. However, it cannot rule out the possibility that a small amount of the drugs would be smuggled back for local consumption. Investigations are continuing. Hong Kong Customs has also contacted enforcement agencies of India and Taiwan for further investigation.
Though international drug traffickers might attempt to take advantage of Hong Kong's well-established transportation network to smuggle dangerous drugs, Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely for intelligence exchange with both overseas and Mainland enforcement counterparts to combat transnational drug trafficking activities. The success of the detection of this case bears testimony to Hong Kong Customs' enforcement capabilities and full commitment to deterring the drug trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. Upon conviction, an offender will face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Tuesday, July 21, 2009
