Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 2.3 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $1.6 million at Hong Kong International Airport on February 5 and 10 respectively. Two teenagers suspected to be involved in the cases were subsequently arrested yesterday (February 16).
In the first case, Customs officers inspected an air parcel that arrived from Germany at Hong Kong International Airport on February 5 and found about 1.8 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside nine health supplement bottles. After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested one 16-year-old male suspected to be in connection with the case in Tuen Mun.
In the second case, Customs officers inspected an air parcel that arrived from Canada at Hong Kong International Airport on February 10 and seized about 2.3 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds inside five tinfoil bags. Follow-up investigation led to the arrest of a 15-year-old male in Tung Chung yesterday.
Investigations of the two cases are ongoing.
Customs appeals to parents to keep an eye on their children in order to prevent children from taking part in drug trafficking activities under peer influence.
Customs also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items in 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.
Under the Ordinance, cannabis and tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. 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.
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/Wednesday, February 17, 2021
