​Hong Kong Customs detected a dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving three incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and seized about 1.6 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million over the past two days (May 8 and 9).
Two female passengers, aged 22 and 24, arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil via Dubai on May 8. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Brazil via Dubai and Thailand yesterday. During Customs clearance at HKIA, Customs officers found the three passengers to be suspicious, and suspected that they had dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. Three of them were then escorted to the hospital for examination.
Upon examination, Customs Officers yesterday confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside their body cavities. The three persons were arrested immediately. As at 9am today (May 10), the three arrested persons have discharged 154 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.6kg in total.
An investigation is ongoing.
Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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/Wednesday, May 10, 2023
