Officers of Customs Drug Investigation Bureau and Ports and Maritime Command yesterday (January 18) mounted a joint anti-drug operation in Aberdeen and Causeway Bay. A total of 3.65 kilogrammes of ketamine valued at about $400,000 was seized and four men, aged between 17 and 41, were arrested.
This is the first time that the Customs detected a case in which traffickers used fishing vessels as ketamine storage and consumption venue.
Yesterday afternoon, Customs officers intercepted a male passenger on board a taxi in Causeway Bay and found 2.5 kilogrammes of ketamine in his possession.
After follow-up investigations, Customs officers later searched two fishing vessels berthed at Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter and 1.15 kilogrammes of ketamine and some inhaling apparatus were found onboard. Three other men were arrested.
The two vessels were believed to have been used by a drug syndicate as drug storage and consumption venue.
Among the four arrested persons, two of them will be charged with "trafficking in a dangerous drug" and appear at the Eastern Magistrates' Court tomorrow (January 20) while the other two men have been released on bail pending further investigation.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Thursday, January 19, 2012
