Hong Kong Customs consecutively detected four trafficking cases of suspected cannabis and products suspected of containing tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) in nearly one month. A total of about 553 grams of products suspected of containing THC and about two grams of suspected herbal cannabis with an estimated market value of about $60,000 were seized at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Sau Mau Ping on April 17, April 23, May 13 and yesterday (May 21) respectively.
Customs officers inspected four air postal packets arriving in Hong Kong, of which three of them are from the United States and one from the United Kingdom, on April 17, April 23 and May 13 at HKIA. About 500 grams of candies suspected of containing THC, about 45 grams of solution suspected of containing THC and about one gram of suspected herbal cannabis were found.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers yesterday arrested a 26-year-old man suspected to be in connection with the case in Sau Mau Ping. Customs officers escorted the arrested man to a residential premises in the district and further seized about eight grams of solution suspected of containing THC and about one gram of herbal cannabis. The arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.
From January to April this year, Customs detected a total of 12 cases involving products containing THC and seized about 64 kilograms of relevant products, including candies, chocolates and electronic vape pens, with an estimated market value of about $400,000. Customs also detected a total of 28 cannabis cases, with seizures of about 98 kilograms of cannabis worth at about $21 million.
Customs reminds members of the public that cannabis and THC are classified as dangerous drugs under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (DDO). Importation of products (including food and drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the DDO are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of relevant products.
Under the DDO, 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/Friday, May 22, 2020
