Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $1.5 million
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 15) seized about 1 kilogram of suspected cocaine and 600 grams of suspected crack cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $1.5 million in Tai Kok Tsui. A man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.
Through intelligence analysis and in-depth investigations, Customs officers intercepted a 30-year-old man in Tai Kok Tsui yesterday afternoon and found about 500g of suspected crack cocaine inside a plastic bag carried by him. He was then arrested. Customs officers later escorted the man to his rented residential flat in Tai Kok Tsui for a search, and further seized about 1kg of suspected cocaine and 100g of suspected crack cocaine.
The arrested man, who claimed to be unemployed, has been charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. He will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 17).
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/).
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected dangerous drugs worth about $1.5 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes
Two incoming male passengers were each sentenced to four months' imprisonment and a fine of $1,000 at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts yesterday (September 11) for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare to Customs Officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).
Customs officers intercepted the two incoming male passengers, aged 33 and 23 respectively, at Hong Kong International Airport on September 9 and seized about 22 800 duty-not-paid cigarettes with an estimated market value of about $91,000 and a duty potential of about $75,000 from their personal baggage. They were subsequently arrested.
Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to the 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).
Two incoming passengers convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
