Customs officers of Drug Investigation Bureau yesterday (October 13) cracked a drugs case seizing 796 grams of ketamine, 18 grams of cocaine, 94 grams of herbal cannabis, 900 estazolam and 20,400 sticks of illicit cigarettes. The total seizure value amounted to about $190,000.
A 41-year-old man, believed to be a drugs and illicit cigarette dealer, was arrested. He will be charged with offences under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, and will appear in Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts for mention tomorrow (October 15).
It is believed that the seized drugs and cigarettes were intended for sale in discos and entertainment places in Yaumatei, Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui.
At around 8.35pm yesterday, Customs officers intercepted a man at Humphreys Avenue in Tsim Sha Tsui. They seized from him 16 grams of ketamine and one gram of cocaine.
Later on, Customs officers seized from his apartment 780 grams of ketamine, 17 grams of cocaine, 94 grams of herbal cannabis, 900 estazolam with total worth of about $160,000.
Besides, 20,400 sticks of illicit cigarettes, valued at $30,000 with duty potential of about $16,400, were also seized from his apartment.
Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, the maximum penalty for dealing with dutiable goods is a fine of $1 million and two years' imprisonment.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence and the maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Friday, October 14, 2005