Hong Kong Customs detected three cases of drug trafficking by passengers yesterday (February 8) and today (February 9) at Hong Kong International Airport. About six kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about four kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $8.9 million were seized in total.
A male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday. During customs clearance, about 6kg of suspected methamphetamine were found concealed inside six packages of food products in his checked-in suitcase. On the other hand, a female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Manila, the Philippines yesterday. During customs clearance, about 2kg of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside the brassiere worn by her. The two passengers were then arrested.
Also, a male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Johannesburg, South Africa today. During customs clearance, about 1.6kg of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside the false compartments of the shoes worn by him. He was also suspected to have dangerous drugs concealed inside his body cavities, therefore he was escorted to hospital for examination and later discharged about 490 grams of suspected cocaine. He was then arrested.
The man involved in the case of trafficking in suspected methamphetamine has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (February 10).
Investigations of the two other cases of trafficking in suspected cocaine are ongoing.
Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
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/Sunday, February 9, 2020
