Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.6 million at Hong Kong International Airport on February 25. One man was subsequently arrested yesterday (March 3).
Customs officers examined an air postal packet originating from the Netherlands which was declared as carrying food on that day and found the batch of suspected liquid cocaine concealed inside two sugar syrup bottles.
Upon follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested an 18-year-old man in Cheung Sha Wan suspected to be in connection with the case.
The arrested man has been charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 5).
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to 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).
Ends/Thursday, March 4, 2021
