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Hong Kong Customs seized about seven kilogrammes of suspected cocaine worth about $7,480,000 at Hong Kong International Airport yesterday (December 6) and arrested an incoming male passenger.
The arrested person, who claimed to be unemployed, arrived at Hong Kong from São Paulo, Brazil via Istanbul, Turkey yesterday. Upon baggage examination, Customs officers found two abnormally heavy empty rucksacks in the luggage carried by him. With X-ray check, false compartments were found in the two rucksacks. About seven kilogrammes of suspected cocaine were found concealed in the false compartments.
The arrested person, aged 23, will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (December 8).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to keep track of the latest drugs trafficking trend and formulate pertinent anti-narcotics enforcement strategies. In addition, Hong Kong Customs will strengthen intelligence exchange with overseas law enforcement agencies so as to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.
Ends/Sunday, December 7, 2014
Issued at HKT 14:29
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