Hong Kong Customs detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport on August 29 and seized about 20 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $10 million.
A 22-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from London, United Kingdom via Brussels, Belgium and Zurich, Switzerland, on that day. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected ketamine was found in his check-in suitcase. The male was subsequently arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
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/Saturday, August 31, 2024
