Hong Kong Customs Seizes $5.2 Million in Drugs at Airport, Arrests Three Passengers

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds and suspected methamphetamine at airport

​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 9) detected three drug trafficking cases involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 13.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds and about 3kg of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $5.2 million.

The first and second case involved two male passengers, aged 24 and 20, who respectively arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, and from Chiang Mai, Thailand, via Bangkok, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 7.8kg and 5.7kg of suspected cannabis buds was seized from their check-in suitcases respectively. The two men were subsequently arrested. The dangerous drugs were packed in plastic bags and vacuum-sealed bags, and mix-loaded with personal belongings.

The third case involved a 30-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 3kg of suspected methamphetamine was found concealed in the false compartment of his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

Investigations of the three cases are ongoing.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary returns. 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.

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 182 8080 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 cannabis buds and suspected methamphetamine at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds and suspected methamphetamine at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

TD urges public and motorists returning to Hong Kong to travel outside peak periods as far as possible

The Transport Department (TD) today (October 12) urged members of the public who drive their private cars to and from the Mainland/Macao to note that it is anticipated more inbound cross boundary vehicles will travel via the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) tomorrow (October 13). Members of the public are advised to plan their journeys ahead and travel outside peak periods as far as possible in response to the inbound travel peak after Chung Yeung Festival.

The public can make use of the TD's HKeMobility mobile application to access the snapshots of traffic conditions at the inbound and outbound vehicle plaza of HZMB Hong Kong Port. They can also check the real time situations of the vehicle clearance plaza of HZMB Zhuhai Port through the WeChat official accounts (or visit traffic-info.gzazhka.com:5015/#/).

The TD has worked with relevant Mainland authorities and operators to formulate plans to strengthen services at various ports, including increasing the frequency of the HZMB shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), as well as arranging dedicated public transport lanes at the HZMB Port, Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang Port and Shenzhen Bay Port as necessary, with a view to ensuring smooth public transport operations. Subject to actual traffic conditions, special traffic arrangements may be implemented at Lok Ma Chau Control Point and Shenzhen Bay Port to facilitate public transport vehicles to enter the above control points smoothly. Motorists are advised to pay special attention to variable message signs and traffic signs along the road.

In addition, the TD has approached various public transport operators proactively to enhance the capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors. Among them, the MTR will enhance train service of railway lines (including East Rail Line) until October 13, with a total of about 950 extra trips, so as to facilitate the travelling of local residents and visitors.

The TD's Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre operates 24 hours to closely monitor the traffic and transport situation of various districts, boundary control points and major stations, and implement response measures where appropriate. Members of the public are advised to keep in view the latest traffic news through radio, television broadcasts and the TD's HKeMobility mobile application.