********************************************************
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 30) seized 776,000 tablets of pseudoephedrine weighing 174 kilograms inside a cargo consignment which was declared as "Pepper Feeds" imported from Singapore at Hong Kong International Airport.
Pseudoephedrine is the chemical precursor of methamphetamine, a dangerous drug commonly known as "ice". It is estimated that the seized quantity of pseudoephedrine could be used for the manufacturing of about 6.6kg of methamphetamine with a retail value around $5.2 million.
The Group Head of Air Cargo Group, Airport Command, Mr Lam Ying-ho, said today (May 31) at a press conference that the tablets, destined for the Mainland, were packed in aluminium foil bags and covered by bags of pepper in eight carton boxes. Hong Kong Customs is following up this case with law enforcement agencies in the Mainland and Singapore.
From January to May this year, Customs officers have detected six pseudoephedrine cases at the Airport Cargo Terminals and seized about 702kg of pseudoephedrine tablets. It was estimated that the seizures could be turned into 34kg of methamphetamine with a retail value over $26.5 million.
Under the Import and Export Ordinance, import of pharmaceutical products requires a trader licence and an import licence. Any person contravening the provisions shall be liable on conviction to a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for two years.
Ends/Thursday, May 31, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:15
NNNN
