Hong Kong Customs seized about 380 boxes of suspected smuggled COVID-19 oral drugs with a total estimated market value of about $500,000 at Hong Kong International Airport and in Tin Shui Wai on January 11 and 14 respectively.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on January 11 selected and inspected an air parcel, declared as carrying healthcare products, arriving Hong Kong from India at the airport. Upon inspection, about 250 boxes of suspected smuggled COVID-19 oral drugs with an estimated market value of about $330,000 were found inside the parcel.
Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (January 14) conducted a controlled-delivery operation and arrested a 40-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Tin Shui Wai. Later, Customs officers searched the man's residential unit in the same district and further seized about 130 boxes of suspected smuggled COVID-19 oral drugs with an estimated market value of about $170,000. A 34-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case was also arrested in the unit.
An investigation is ongoing. The two arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, any person who imports pharmaceutical products and medicines without a valid import licence commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, any person who possesses any poison included in Part 1 of the Poisons List other than in accordance with provisions commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for two years.
With the Lunar New Year around the corner, the Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against different kinds of smuggling activities before and during the holiday based on risk assessment and intelligence analysis.
Members of the public may report any suspected violation of the above-mentioned ordinances to Customs' 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).
