Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 16) detected two passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 5.3 kilograms of suspected heroin and about 2.1kg of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $5 million. A man and a woman were arrested.
The first case involved a 48-year-old female passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During customs clearance, a batch of suspected cannabis buds weighing about 2.1kg in total was found concealed in eight packs of snacks inside her check-in baggage. The woman was arrested immediately.
The second case involved a 37-year-old male passenger who arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.3kg of suspected heroin was found concealed in three food packaging boxes inside his check-in baggage and he was subsequently arrested.
The two arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Both cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 18).
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/Monday, June 17, 2024
