Hong Kong Customs detected three dangerous drugs cases at Hong Kong International Airport in the past two days (October 24 and 25) and seized about 30 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 3kg of suspected methamphetamine and about 500 grams of suspected cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $20 million. Two men and one woman were arrested.
In the first case, Customs on October 24 inspected an air consignment, declared as carrying five boxes of metal alloy bowls, arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found there were 1 500 metal alloy bowls inside the boxes, in which 750 of them had special inner layers to conceal suspected ketamine. The total weight was about 30kg with an estimated market value of about $18 million.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on the same day arrested a 36-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case at the airport. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 27).
In the second case, through risk assessment, Customs on October 24 inspected an air parcel, declared as carrying home decorations, arriving in Hong Kong from Laos. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that suspected methamphetamine was concealed inside the false compartments of the lamps and metal parts inside the parcel. The total weight was about 3kg, with an estimated market value of about $1.8 million.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday mounted a controlled delivery operation in Mong Kok and arrested a 14-year-old male youth, who claimed to be a student, and is suspected to be connected with the case. He has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.
In the third case, Customs on October 24 conducted a Customs clearance on a 28-year-old female passenger at the airport. She arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa, via Doha, Qatar, on October 24. During customs clearance, Customs officers found her to be suspicious, and suspected that she had dangerous drugs concealed inside her body cavity. The woman was then escorted to hospital for examination.
The woman later discharged 42 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 500g in total, with an estimated market value of about $400,000. She was arrested by Customs officers subsequently and has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow.
Investigations of the three above-mentioned cases are ongoing.
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. At the same time, Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment strategy to select inbound, outbound and transit passengers for clearance to intercept different kinds of drug trafficking activities.
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/Wednesday, October 26, 2022
