Hong Kong Customs detected four cases of cross-boundary drug trafficking through express parcels at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on consecutive days between June 14 and yesterday (June 16). About 23 000 tablets of suspected ecstasy with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million were seized.
Customs officers at Lok Ma Chau Control Point inspected three express parcels arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium via Shenzhen on June 14 and 15. About 18 000 tablets of suspected ecstasy were found concealed between layers of the carton boxes.
Also, Customs officers yesterday inspected an air express parcel arriving in Hong Kong from Germany at HKIA and found that about 4 800 tablets of suspected ecstasy were wrapped inside two sets of bed coverings.
The same modus operandi of addressing the parcels to fictitious addresses was used in the four above-mentioned cases. Investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of arrests is not ruled out.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
Customs will continue to maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel or express courier channels.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, June 17, 2021
