The Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong (Hong Kong Customs) jointly mounted an anti-narcotics operation, codenamed "Yunzhan-duanliu 2023", with the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the GACC, and the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of Shenzhen Customs starting from January 1. On the first day (January 1) of the operation, Hong Kong Customs seized about 9 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of $8 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Two local men were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Hong Kong Customs on that day inspected a transshipment consignment, declared as carrying transformers, arriving in Hong Kong from Brazil at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected cocaine was concealed inside a transformer.
Hong Kong Customs immediately conducted follow-up investigation and intelligence exchange with the anti-smuggling departments of the Mainland Customs and conducted a controlled delivery operation in Hong Kong on January 10. Two local men, aged 28 and 51, suspected to be connected with the case were arrested in Kowloon Tong.
An investigation is ongoing. The arrested 28-year-old man was temporarily released.
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.
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).
