​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 24) detected an incoming passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine and with an estimated market value of about $3.3 million.
A male passenger, aged 45, arrived in Hong Kong from Sofia, Bulgaria via Doha, Qatar, on that day. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3 kilograms of suspected cocaine concealed in 12 pieces of soap inside his carry-on backpack. The man was subsequently arrested.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on November 27.
Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Saturday, November 25, 2023
