​Hong Kong Customs conducted a series of anti-narcotics operations and detected four dangerous drug trafficking cases over the past two days (June 14 and 15). Suspected dangerous drugs worth about $6 million in total were seized at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and in various districts across the territory. The seizures include about 10 kilograms of ketamine, about 1kg of crack cocaine, a small quantity of cocaine and methamphetamine as well as a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia and drug-inhaling apparatus. Four men, aged between 23 and 31, were arrested during the operations.
In the first three cases, Customs officers on June 14 inspected three express parcels posted from the United Kingdom, which were declared as carrying pillows, at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. About 9kg of suspected ketamine were found concealed inside the parcels. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation in Mong Kok yesterday and arrested two men, aged 29 and 31, suspected to be connected with the case. A further seizure was made at two nearby residential premises, including about 800 grams of suspected ketamine, about 35g of suspected crack cocaine, about 1g of suspected cocaine, about 1g of suspected methamphetamine and a set of suspected drug-inhaling apparatus.
In the fourth case, Customs officers intercepted a suspicious man in Sheung Shui last night and seized about 1kg of suspected crack cocaine inside a paper bag carried by him. The 23-year-old man was subsequently arrested. Upon investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 25-year-old man in To Kwa Wan suspected to be connected with the case and further seized about 10g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing paraphernalia inside his rucksack and luggage.
Investigations of the above-mentioned four cases are ongoing.
Customs will continue to enhance enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also 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, June 16, 2023
