Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 30) seized about 7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 18.5 grams of suspected ketamine at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) and Tsuen Wan respectively with an estimated market value of about $7.9 million in total.
Customs officers inspected an air cargo consignment arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands at HKIA yesterday. The batch of suspected cocaine was found concealed inside 12 powdered formula cans.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers arrested a 21-year old man suspected to be in connection with the case at a warehouse in Tsuen Wan on the same day, where the batch of suspected ketamine was further seized.
The arrested man has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (June 1).
Although the air passenger traffic has reduced recently, Customs still continues to step-up enforcement actions against drug trafficking activities through air cargo, postal parcel and express courier channels, as well as to maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries with a view to intercept the inflow of drugs to Hong Kong.
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, May 31, 2020
