​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 9) and today (September 10) detected two drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment and seized about 10 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, 10kg of suspected ketamine and 3.8kg of suspected MDMA, with a total estimated market value of about $10.3 million, at Hong Kong International Airport. Three men were arrested.
In the first case, a 28-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Paris, France, yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected ketamine and suspected MDMA concealed inside his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers on the same day conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested a 52-year-old man who claimed to be a driver at Kennedy Town.
After the investigation, the first arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 11). The second arrestee has been released on bail pending further investigation.
The second case involved a 20-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, today. During customs clearance, the batch of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in the food packages inside his check-in suitcase and the man was subsequently arrested.
An investigation of the second case is ongoing.
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, September 10, 2024
