Hong Kong Customs yesterday (February 23) detected two passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 16.3 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 5.8 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $15 million in total.
A 27-year-old male passenger and a 22-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong on the same flight from Paris, France yesterday. During customs clearance, about 16.3 kilograms of suspected ketamine in total were found concealed inside the false compartments of their check-in suitcases. The two passengers were then arrested.
Also, a 72-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Athens, Greece via Doha, Qatar yesterday. During customs clearance, about 5.8 kilograms of suspected cocaine were found concealed inside five packages of chocolate and three cans in his check-in luggage. He was then arrested.
The two arrestees involved in the case of trafficking in suspected ketamine have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at Eastern Magistrates' Courts on February 26. Investigation of the case of trafficking in suspected cocaine is still 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/Monday, February 24, 2020
