​Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases through the airfreight channel at Hong Kong International Airport in November last year and January this year. A total of about 146 kilograms of suspected ketamine and suspected opium, with an estimated market value of about $24.8 million, were seized.
In the first case, through risk assessment, Customs on November 9 last year inspected an air parcel, declared as carrying cables, arriving in Hong Kong from Belgium at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found one plastic bag containing suspected ketamine concealed between the axis and the wires of a wire reel. The total weight of the drugs was about 16kg, with an estimated market value of about $9.8 million.
In the second case, Customs on January 3 this year inspected an air consignment, declared as carrying herbal products, arriving in Hong Kong from Pakistan at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a total of about 5 600 plastic bottles inside six carton boxes and each plastic bottle was fully filled with suspected opium. The total weight of the drugs was about 130kg, with an estimated market value of about $15 million.
Investigations of the two above-mentioned cases are ongoing.
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).
Ends/Friday, March 3, 2023
