Hong Kong Customs detected three dangerous drugs cases in Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long; Yau Tong; and Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 10), and seized about 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine, 32.5kg of suspected cannabis buds, 2kg of gummy candies containing suspected tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and 234 vape sticks containing suspected THC, with a total estimated market value of about $15 million. Three persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.
In the first case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in the vicinity of Tsuen Wan yesterday morning, Customs intercepted a 30-year-old man and found about 350 grams of suspected cannabis buds and 30 vape sticks containing suspected THC inside a paper bag and rucksack carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers then escorted the man to an industrial unit nearby for a search and found about 6.6kg of suspected cannabis buds, 2kg of gummy candies containing suspected THC and 204 vape sticks containing suspected THC and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia therein. Upon a follow-up investigation, the man was brought to a village house rented by him in Yuen Long for a search, and about 20.5kg of suspected cannabis buds were uncovered. About 27.5kg of suspected cannabis buds, 2kg of gummy candies containing suspected THC and 234 vape sticks containing suspected THC in total were seized in the operation.
In the second case, through in-depth investigations and data analyses, Customs yesterday searched a mini-storage warehouse in Yau Tong. Upon searching, a total of about 5kg of suspected cannabis buds were found concealed in some pet food packages inside a batch of carton boxes. Afterwards, Customs arrested a 37-year-old man in Ngau Chi Wan suspected to be connected with the case.
The third case involved a 31-year-old man who arrived in Hong Kong from Frankfurt, Germany, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found 15kg of suspected ketamine wrapped by clothes in his check-in suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The arrestee in the first case was charged with three counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 12). The arrested man in the second case has been released on bail pending further investigation. An investigation of the third case is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public that cannabis and THC are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.
Under the 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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
Ends/Wednesday, December 11, 2024
