Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected ketamine worth about $5.7 million at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 11) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. About 12 kilograms of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million was seized.
A 32-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Copenhagen, Denmark, via Helsinki, Finland, yesterday. During Customs clearance, the batch of suspected ketamine was found in 10 bags of drink powder and dog food inside his check-in suitcase. 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 (December 13).
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 ketamine worth about $5.7 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation
The Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) of Customs and Excise, Ms Wong Wai-chuen, today (December 12) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement (CEFA) with the Federal Express (Hong Kong) Limited to further deepen collaboration at the Customs Headquarters Building.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms Wong said that to dovetail with the rapid development of the global electronic commerce industry, Customs has started the trial of the CEFA since the first half of this year by introducing an innovative customs clearance model of "free flow through the first line and efficient control at the second line". Through pre-assessing the risk of goods based on the declared cargo information from logistics providers and utilising technology monitoring to ensure uninterrupted transportation of parcels, the time spent on loading, unloading and locating parcels inspected at Hong Kong ports will be reduced. Upon the arrival of parcels at a designated clearance area, a designated mobile examination team from Customs will conduct customs clearance on the spot to accelerate cargo shipment procedures. The implementation of the CEFA has demonstrated a balanced approach between trade facilitation and enforcement, thereby strengthening Hong Kong's competitive advantage as a major international trade centre and regional logistics hub.
Customs attaches great importance to maintaining close co-operation with logistics providers and welcomes enterprises to participate in the CEFA to improve the overall efficiency of customs clearance and create a favourable business environment in Hong Kong. To participate in the CEFA, logistics providers must fulfil the following requirements:
(a) Obtain Authorized Economic Operator accreditation in Hong Kong;
(b) Become users of the Road Cargo System or other systems designated by Customs, with accurate cargo information submitted in formats specified by Customs;
(c) Become users of Customs electronic locks; and
(d) Bear a high level of credibility and a secured supply chain policy that meets the safety requirements of Customs.
Customs will continue to expand the scope of co-operation with the logistics industry to promote swift and reliable cargo clearance services, achieving a win-win situation for both sides. The department is also committed to being the gatekeeper and shoulder the responsibilities of the facilitator of economic development of the country and Hong Kong to intercept illegal articles entering and exiting Hong Kong, expedite cargo flow, and facilitate trading activities.
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs signs MOU on Cross-boundary Express Cargo Clearance Facilitation Arrangement with Federal Express (Hong Kong) to strengthen co-operation Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
