​Hong Kong Customs on June 9 detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.3 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.2 million. A man was arrested.
A 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Nairobi, Kenya, via Doha, Qatar, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found a metal part in his checked-in luggage, which contained the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside. The man was subsequently arrested.
After an investigation, the arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 12).
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/Tuesday, June 11, 2024
