In a joint operation yesterday (May 26), Customs officers from Customs Drug Investigation Bureau and Airport Command cracked a drug-trafficking case at the airport seizing eight packs of a total of 8 kg high-graded ketamine with an estimated local retail value of $1.9 million.
At about 9.45am, Customs officers at the airport inspected four incoming express parcels mailed from Malaysia, declared to be "urgent document" addressed to different locations; and found 8 kg high-graded ketamine.
As a result of a controlled delivery operation mounted by officers of Customs Drug Investigation Bureau, two men, aged 19 and 22, were arrested. It is believed that they were members of a drug syndicate.
Both men will be charged with "trafficking in a dangerous drug" and will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (May 28) for mention.
"Hong Kong Customs will continue to take stringent enforcement action to crack down on drugs trafficking, and maintain close liaison with overseas law enforcement agencies to step up intelligence exchange," spokesman of Customs and Excise Department said, "Those who attempted to smuggle dangerous drugs into or through Hong Kong will have a high price to pay."
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2005