Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 5) seized about 31 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $6 million at Hong Kong International Airport.
Through risk assessment, Customs yesterday inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying jeans, arriving in Hong Kong from Canada. Upon inspection, Customs officers found that 10 carton boxes out of 12 carton boxes were concealed with suspected cannabis buds.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers mounted a controlled delivery operation in Fanling on the same day. A 23-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Fanling Magistrates' Courts on May 8.
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 (Ordinance), cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (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.
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.
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/Saturday, May 6, 2023
