Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $26 million (with photo)
​Hong Kong Customs seized about 30 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $26 million at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (January 26).
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day inspected two air consignments, declared as carrying cookies, arriving in Hong Kong from Thailand. Customs officers found one of the consignments containing 22 carton boxes, of which five carton boxes had contained 80 tin boxes of biscuits, each with a piece of suspected heroin concealed inside. The total weight of the 80 pieces of suspected heroin was about 30kg.
Upon investigation, Customs officers on the same day arrested two men, aged 45 and 40, suspected to be connected with the case. Two goods vehicles were also searched and a suspected drug-inhaling apparatus was seized inside one of the vehicles.
After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further seized about 2.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine and a suspected drug-inhaling apparatus inside a residential premises in Yuen Long on the same day. A 41-year-old woman suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels of goods.
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).
