Hong Kong Customs seized about 16 kilograms of suspected cocaine estimated at about $18.6 million at Hong Kong International Airport on September 23 and arrested three persons.
Two female passengers arrived at Hong Kong from Peru via Brazil, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates and Thailand. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found four sets of bed linen, four packets of coffee powder and four packets of flour in their two check-in suitcases. An X-ray check revealed suspicious images inside and Customs officers also found the bed linen abnormally heavy. In-depth examination subsequently led to the discovery of the suspected cocaine. It is believed that drug traffickers exploited the circuitous routing to evade Customs detection. Upon follow-up action, another male aged 57 was arrested in Tai Kok Tsui yesterday (September 24) for further investigation.
The two female arrested persons, aged 33, claimed to be unemployed. They will be charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court tomorrow (September 26).
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/Friday, September 25, 2015
