Hong Kong Customs conducted an anti-narcotics operation between July 4 and yesterday (July 17), and detected six dangerous drugs cases using local co-working spaces and one passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport, seizing a total of about 31 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 5kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $20 million.
Through risk assessment, Customs on July 4 inspected an air cargo consignment, declared as a seating chair, arriving in Hong Kong from the United States at the airport. The consignee address was a co-working space on Hong Kong Island. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 5kg of suspected methamphetamine concealed in the seating chair. Customs revealed that the drug traffickers have attempted to deliver consignments with dangerous drugs to different co-working spaces to evade Customs detection.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers found that the consignor concerned adopted the same approach to arrange for five different co-working spaces to receive other consignments, declared as seating chairs and baby toys, arriving in Hong Kong from the United States. The consignment was intercepted on July 5 at the airport and about 20kg of suspected methamphetamine were found concealed in four seating chairs, and about 5kg of suspected cocaine were found concealed in two baby toys. In the six dangerous drugs cases, in which local co-working spaces were being used, Customs seized about 25kg of suspected methamphetamine and about 5kg of suspected cocaine, with a total estimated market value of about $17 million. .
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted a controlled delivery operation yesterday in Wong Chuk Hang and arrested one male consignee, aged 38. The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (July 19).
In addition, Hong Kong Customs yesterday detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 6kg of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $3 million.
A 23-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found six bags of suspected methamphetamine, with a total weight of about 6kg, inside his check-in suitcase. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
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.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not 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, July 18, 2024
