Customs has stepped up enforcement action against cross-border drug trafficking at control points in support of the Government's territory-wide efforts to combat drug problems and drug abuse by youngsters.
To help deter drug trafficking, Customs has strengthened inspection of cross-boundary passengers and vehicles.
Apart from ketamine, which is still the most commonly abused dangerous drug among teenagers, Customs have seized a wide range of other dangerous drugs, including methylamphetamine ("ice"), cannabis, heroin and cocaine.
From January to May this year, Customs officers at the land boundary control points seized a total of 19.3 kilograms of drugs and arrested 88 people. For the corresponding period last year, 11.1 kilograms of drugs were seized with 100 people arrested.
A total of 10.6 kilograms of "ice", 5.3 kilograms of cannabis, 2.9 kilograms of ketamine and 0.3 kilograms of heroin were seized with a total market value of about $9 million.
Speaking at a press briefing today (May 27), the Head of the Land Boundary Command, Mr Ben Leung, said Customs found that the most commonly used drug trafficking methods by the offenders were packing of the drugs around the body, concealment inside the luggage and using cross-boundary private cars as conveyance to evade Customs detection.
"Custom officers use different methods to detect drugs when the officers have suspicions of a cross-boundary passenger or vehicle at the control points. These methods include the use of advanced technology, such as X-ray checkers and ion scanners, drug detector dogs, physical checks and examination of baggage and personal belongings and personal search, depending on the situation and the need," Mr Leung said.
The department would also continue to maintain close contacts with local and Mainland enforcement agencies to strengthen intelligence exchange to combat cross-boundary drug trafficking, he added.
He appealed to people not to engage in drug trafficking which was a serious offence and offenders would face serious consequences if convicted. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty for drug trafficking is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Wednesday, May 27, 2009
