Hong Kong Customs seized about 34 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 38kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $30 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on January 14.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying ceiling tiles, arriving in Hong Kong from Canada at the Kwai Chung Customhouse. Upon inspection, Customs officers found there were 57 boxes of ceiling tiles inside the consignment and the middle layers of 16 of them had been emptied to conceal the batch of suspected methamphetamine and cannabis buds.
After a follow-up investigation and controlled delivery operation, Customs officers yesterday (January 17) arrested two local men, aged 38 and 40, suspected to be connected with the case in Yuen Long. A small quantity of suspected ketamine and suspected cannabis buds were also seized from the 40-year-old man.
An investigation is ongoing.
With the Chinese New Year holidays approaching, Customs believes that the local demand for drugs will be increased. The department will therefore further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat different kinds of dangerous drug trafficking activities before the long holidays.
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, cannabis and THC are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.
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).
