Hong Kong Customs detected two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at Hong Kong International Airport for two consecutive days (October 17 and 18) and seized about 5.4 kilograms of suspected cocaine, 17kg of suspected cannabis buds and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets, with a total estimated market value of about $6.8 million.
In the first case, a 40-year-old Mainland male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from São Paulo, Brazil, via Istanbul, Turkey, yesterday (October 17). During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $3.3 million inside his carry-on baggage. He was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 52-year-old Mainland female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, today (October 18). During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $3.5 million in her check-in suitcase, and 15 suspected Alprazolam tablets in her carry-on backpack. The woman was subsequently arrested.
Investigation of the two cases is ongoing.
Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.
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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).
