​Hong Kong Customs conducted anti-narcotics operations on August 18 and October 5 and detected two dangerous drugs trafficking cases. About 86 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and a small quantity of suspected cocaine and suspected ketamine, with a total estimated market value of about $20.4 million, were seized. Three men were arrested during the operations.
In the first case, Customs on October 5 inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying household goods and arriving in Hong Kong from Canada, at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. Upon inspection, Customs officers found a batch of suspected cannabis buds, weighing about 76kg, concealed inside two wooden cabinets. The estimated market value of this batch of dangerous drugs was about $18 million. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a series of controlled delivery operations from October 6 to yesterday (October 11) in which three men aged between 32 and 40, suspected to be connected with the case, were arrested. A small amount of suspected cocaine and suspected ketamine were seized on one of the arrested men.
In the second case, Customs on August 18 inspected an express parcel, which was declared as carrying machinery spares, arriving in Hong Kong from South Africa via Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. After examination, about 10kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2.4 million were found concealed inside a wooden ornament.
Investigations of the above-mentioned two 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 returns. 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.
Under the 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Thursday, October 12, 2023
