​Hong Kong Customs seized about 6.2 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million at Hong Kong International Airport on January 26. Two men were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected two air parcels, both declared as gifts, arriving in Hong Kong from Mexico at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that 16 candles were mixed with suspected methamphetamine. The total weight of the drugs was about 6.2kg.
Customs officers yesterday (January 30) mounted a controlled delivery operation and arrested two men, aged 48 and 51, suspected to be connected with the case in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Later, Customs officers searched a residential premises in the same district, which was the home unit of the arrested 51-year-old man, and seized two suspected drug-inhaling apparatuses inside the premises.
Three holding charges were laid against the arrested 51-year-old man, including one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 1). The 48-year-old man has been released after investigation.
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).
