Hong Kong Customs yesterday (April 20) detected a dangerous drugs case and seized about 53 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $49 million in Hong Kong International Airport. Four men were arrested.
Through intelligence exchange and risk assessment, Customs yesterday examined a batch of air consignment, declared as carrying vegetable, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found, in three of the cartons of goods, there were suspected heroin concealed inside the packaging bags of 37 packs of coffee powder. The total weight of the suspected heroin was about 53kg and the estimated market value was about $49 million. A 36-year-old man, suspected to be connected with the case, was arrested.
Customs officers then mounted a follow-up controlled delivery operation in Kowloon City yesterday night and arrested a 39-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (April 21) mounted another controlled delivery operation in Kwun Tong and arrested two men, aged 21 and 43, suspected to be connected with the case.
Investigations of the case are ongoing.
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, April 21, 2023
