Hong Kong Customs on August 11 seized about 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

     A 65-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on August 11. During customs clearance, Customs officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside the interlinings of three book covers in his rucksack. The man was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 14).

     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, 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 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Sunday, August 13, 2023
Issued at HKT 12:55

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