Hong Kong Customs has smashed a cross-boundary ketamine trafficking syndicate. Customs officers seized 48.6 kilogrammes of ketamine and small quantities of cocaine and nimetazepam, worth about $5.7 million in total, in a series of anti-drug operations conducted over the last few months. Three private cars used for drug trafficking were also seized.
Eleven men and a woman, aged between 17 and 39, were arrested for trafficking in dangerous drugs during the operations.
The Customs launched a series of anti-narcotics operations since last October and carried out investigations targeting a cross-boundary ketamine trafficking syndicate. It was found that the syndicate smuggled drugs from the Mainland using the tactics of "Ants-Moving-Home" into Hong Kong. The ketamine was concealed among food stuffs, beverages or inside packets of tea leaves which were then smuggled into Hong Kong either by syndicate members posing as travellers or in vehicles through control points.
Syndicate members also attempted to smuggle ketamine using body concealment to evade Customs inspections at the control points.
Customs Drug Investigation Bureau's Group Head (Drug Investigation), Mr Donald Wong, at a press conference today (March 17) said that the Customs would continue to work closely with local, Mainland and overseas counterparts, whether through timely intelligence exchange or by mounting joint operations, so as to combat cross-boundary trafficking activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Thursday, March 17, 2011
