Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine and suspected ketamine at airport
Hong Kong Customs yesterday (December 31) detected three drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 4.5 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine and about 12kg of suspected ketamine. The total estimated market value of the drugs was about $9.4 million.
The first case involved a 26-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 4.5kg of suspected liquid cocaine was seized from his check-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested. The dangerous drugs were concealed in two wine bottles and three personal care products inside his check-in suitcase.
The second case involved one male passenger, aged 32, who arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 2kg of suspected ketamine, which was concealed in tea leaf packaging, was uncovered in his carry-on suitcase. He was subsequently arrested.
The third case involved a 46-year-old male passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Paris, France, yesterday. During customs clearance, about 10kg of suspected ketamine was found in protein powder packaging inside his check-in suitcase. The male was subsequently arrested.
All arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The cases will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (January 2).
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 liquid cocaine and suspected ketamine at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine and suspected ketamine at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine and suspected ketamine at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
