Hong Kong Customs on December 17 detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 22 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine and about 25kg of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $36 million were seized.
One 20-year-old female passenger and one 21-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Milan, Italy, via Helsinki, Finland, on that day. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected liquid cocaine and suspected ketamine was found in 22 cans of canned food, 17 food packaging boxes and two gift boxes inside their check-in suitcases. The duo were subsequently arrested.
The arrested persons each have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 20).
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 also 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Tuesday, December 19, 2023
