​Hong Kong Customs detected three dangerous drugs cases at Hong Kong International Airport, the Shenzhen Bay Control Point and in Yuen Long in June and July this year. About 47 kilograms of suspected liquid ketamine, about 33kg of suspected cannabis buds and about 8kg of suspected methamphetamine, with a total estimated market value of about $38.6 million, were seized.
In the first case, Customs on June 17 and 18 inspected a batch of air consignment declared as carrying car wax, arriving in Hong Kong from the Netherlands at the airport. Upon examination, Customs officers found there were 92 bottles of car wax inside three carton boxes, among which 48 of them concealed suspected liquid ketamine. The total weight of the drugs was about 47kg and the estimated market value was about $25.3 million.
In the second case, Customs on July 3 inspected an inbound express consignment, declared as carrying wall clocks and spare parts, arriving in Hong Kong from South Africa via Shenzhen at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Upon examination, a batch of suspected cannabis buds was found inside a false compartment of a wall clock and the interlining of a wooden box carrying the clock. The total weight of the drugs was about 33kg and the estimated market value was about $7.6 million.
In the third case, Customs officers on July 21 seized a large machine at a warehouse in Yuen Long. About 8kg of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $5.7 million was found concealed inside the machine.
Investigations of the three above-mentioned cases are ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. 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, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.
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/).
Ends/Friday, July 28, 2023
