Hong Kong Customs seized about 135 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $140 million at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound on January 10. Two men were arrested yesterday (January 24).
Through risk assessment and intelligence sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies, Customs officers on that day selected for inspection a seaborne container, declared as containing frozen meat, arriving in Hong Kong from Suriname. Upon examination, Customs officers found 104 bricks of suspected cocaine concealed inside the refrigerator compartments at the extreme front of the container that was fully loaded with goods.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 28-year-old man and a 33-year-old man, suspected to be in connection with the case, in Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan respectively.
An investigation is ongoing.
Risk assessment has all along been an effective strategy adopted by Customs to intercept the import and transit movements of dangerous drugs in various channels. The department will continue to step up anti-narcotic efforts by risk assessment and intelligence analysis with international co-operation.
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/Tuesday, January 25, 2022
