Hong Kong Customs on September 27 and yesterday (October 4) seized a total of about 20 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs and a batch of drug-inhaling apparatus with a total estimated market value of about $5 million in Hong Kong International Airport and Choi Hung.

     Through risk assessment, Customs on September 27 inspected an airborne consignment, declared as carrying compressors and arriving in Hong Kong from the United States, at the airport. Upon inspection, Customs officers found about 20kg of suspected cannabis buds inside a compressor.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers mounted a controlled delivery operation in Yau Tong yesterday and arrested a 37-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case. Later, Customs further seized about 7 grams of suspected crack cocaine, about 2g of suspected 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and a batch of drug-inhaling apparatus at his residential premises in Choi Hung. The arrested man has been charged with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of a dangerous drug and one count of possession of apparatus fit and intended for the inhalation of a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (October 6).

     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 or goods.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Ordinance), cannabis and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are classified as dangerous drugs. Importation of products (including food or drinks) containing cannabis or THC into Hong Kong is prohibited unless the relevant provisions in the Ordinance are complied with. In order to avoid breaching the law inadvertently, special attention should be paid to the packaging labels of those products.
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     Customs will continue to maintain close contact with Hongkong Post and the logistics industries to step up action against drug trafficking through postal parcel or express courier channels.

     Under the 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Thursday, October 5, 2023
Issued at HKT 17:10

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