Hong Kong Customs seized about 1.6 kilograms of suspected ketamine and about 300 grams of suspected crack cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Lai Chi Kok on June 26. Customs officers also seized about $7.8 million of suspected drug trafficking proceeds.
During the operation that night, Customs officers intercepted a 28-year-old man in Lai Chi Kok and found about 250g of suspected ketamine inside a recycle bag carried by him. The man was then arrested.
After follow-up investigation, Customs officers escorted the arrested man to a residential premises nearby where a 27-year-old man suspected to be involved in the case was arrested. About 1.3kg of suspected ketamine, about 300g of suspected crack cocaine and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia were further seized. Cash and a cashier's order valued at about HK$7.8 million, suspected to be drug trafficking proceeds, were also found inside the premises at the same time.
Investigation is ongoing. Customs will continue to carry out in-depth investigation in the aspects of dealing with crime proceeds and money laundering.
The two arrested men were charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (June 29).
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.
Under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, a person commits an offence if he deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person's proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.
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, June 28, 2020
