Hong Kong Customs detects dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving passengers at airport
Hong Kong Customs on December 22 detected a dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving two incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.3 million.
Two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, arrived in Hong Kong from Entebbe, Uganda, via Doha, Qatar, on that day. During Customs clearance, Customs officers suspected that the passengers had dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. They were then escorted to the hospital for examination. Upon examination, doctors confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside their body cavities and they were arrested immediately. As at 2pm today (December 24), the arrested persons have discharged a total of 115 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.5kg in total.
The arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on December 26.
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 detects dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges
The "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition is now being held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), by the Information Services Department (ISD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) in collaboration with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) to promote business and cultural relations and exchanges between the two places.
"Since the establishment of the Dubai ETO in 2021, we have witnessed ever closer ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East, with the Chief Executive and various Principal Officials from the HKSARG having visited the Middle East to strengthen bilateral ties and explore opportunities for collaboration on all fronts. We will continue to engage stakeholders in the Gulf Cooperation Council for deepening relations and telling the good stories of Hong Kong in the region," said the Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Damian Lee.
"In this regard, we have brought the 'Immersive Hong Kong' exhibition to Dubai to introduce to the cosmopolitan population here the wonderful and exciting facets of Hong Kong," he added.
The Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the UAE, His Excellency Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who visited the exhibition today (December 24) at the invitation of the Dubai ETO, said the exhibition provides an important platform for the people of the UAE to explore the potential of Hong Kong across tourism, business and investment sectors.
Highlighting the city's distinctive role as a gateway to Mainland China, he emphasised that strengthening investment and trade partnerships with Hong Kong plays a key role in supporting broader strategic co-operation between the UAE and China, whilst helping to unlock new business opportunities between the Emirati-Chinese business communities.
The Consul General of the UAE in Hong Kong, His Excellency Shaikh Saoud Ali M. A. Almualla, who earlier visited the exhibition, also noted the huge potential for closer bilateral ties.
"There are many similarities between the UAE and Hong Kong, such as economic ambition, cultural inclusivity, and a vision of continued growth and global collaboration. Both places offer a thriving environment for business and personal development, making them ideal partners in fostering deeper trade and investment ties across regions," he said.
Themed "Hong Kong - Where the World Looks Ahead", the "Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition is part of the ISD's external promotional campaign to showcase the city's new attractions, advantages and opportunities. It is now on display at The Beach, Jumeirah Beach Residence, until January 5, 2025. Admission is free.
More information on the exhibition is available on the dedicated page of the Brand Hong Kong website (www.brandhk.gov.hk/en/campaign/hkpromotion-middle-east) as well as the website of the Dubai ETO (www.hketodubai.gov.hk/en/index.html).
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
"Immersive Hong Kong" roving exhibition in Dubai fostering mutual relations and exchanges Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
