Hong Kong Customs seized about 9 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 5 kilograms of suspected cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $12.2 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) respectively on May 20.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day selected and inspected at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound a seaborne consignment, which was declared as containing oil paintings and had arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand. The batch of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed inside five oil paintings. Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (May 25) arrested a 37-year-old man and a 34-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Kam Tin.
Investigation of the above-mentioned case is ongoing.
Also, Customs officers on the same day inspected an air postal packet that had arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil at HKIA and found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside 10 bags of health food. Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday (May 24) arrested a 20-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Tsuen Wan.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 26).
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.
Customs will continue to maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel or express courier channels.
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/Tuesday, May 25, 2021
