Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 26) and today (October 27) seized about 1.3 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $760,000 and about 122 000 suspected illicit cigarettes with an estimated market value of $340,000 and a duty potential of about $230,000 in Kwai Fong and Kwun Tong respectively. A youth was arrested.
During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Kwai Fong last night, Customs officers intercepted a 16-year-old male and found about 400 grams of suspected methamphetamine inside a recycling bag carried by him. The youth was subsequently arrested.
Customs officers later escorted the arrested youth to a residential premises nearby for a search and further seized about 900g of suspected methamphetamine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today further seized the batch of suspected illicit cigarettes in an industrial building unit in Kwun Tong.
Customs has laid a holding charge against the youth, with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 28).
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.
Young people should especially pay attention to the fact that drug trafficking is a serious criminal offence. A criminal conviction will result in grave repercussions for their future, and they should not take risks in the hope that they may not be caught. Parents should also keep an eye on their children's friends to prevent their children from taking drugs or participating in drug trafficking activities due to peer influence.
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, October 27, 2022
