Hong Kong Customs on November 28 seized about 50 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $24 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Four men suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs officers on that day inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as carrying sodium hydrogen carbonate (commonly known as baking soda) and arriving in Hong Kong from Germany. Upon inspection, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine concealed inside two packaging bags of baking soda.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers immediately conducted a controlled-delivery operation on the same day and arrested three men aged between 20 and 38, suspected to be connected with the case, in Aberdeen at night. A 22-year-old man, suspected to be connected with the case, was also arrested in Choi Hung yesterday (November 29).
The first three arrested men have been jointly charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 1). The arrested 22-year-old man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
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, 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, November 30, 2023
