​Hong Kong Customs has conducted an anti-narcotics operation since early August to combat syndicates trafficking drugs by exploiting secretarial companies to receive postal articles.
In view of the upward trend of drug syndicates using secretarial companies to transport drugs into Hong Kong by postal articles, Customs, through risk assessment, has stepped up inspections of suspicious postal articles. During the operation, Customs detected 200 cases and seized about 2.4 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs, including about 1.2kg of suspected methamphetamine and about 1.2kg of suspected cocaine. The total estimated market value of the seizures was about $1.5 million.
Subsequently, Customs arrested five persons suspected of trafficking in a dangerous drug in Hung Hom, Lam Tin, Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai and North Point. The individuals are aged between 27 and 59. An investigation is ongoing and the likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.
The postal articles seized in this operation were mainly delivered to mailboxes belonging to different secretarial companies in industrial or commercial buildings. The drug-trafficking syndicates intended to divide the drugs into small packages and transfer them into Hong Kong using an "ant-moving-home" approach via the postal channel, aiming to increase the difficulty of Customs' detection.
The operation is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis and maintain close contact with the industry. The department reminds secretarial companies to remain vigilant and report to Customs any suspicious activities. Customs reiterates its call for the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return.
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 report hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/).
Ends/Wednesday, October 2, 2024
