Hong Kong Customs yesterday (October 30) arrested a female passenger from Lima, Peru via Amsterdam, the Netherlands on her arrival at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 20 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with a total estimated market value of about $20.54 million.
Upon inspection of the passenger's check-in luggage, Customs officers found 20 bottles of hair care products of different brands and three packets of condiments, which aroused Customs officers' suspicion. Subsequent to in-depth inspection, the suspected drugs were found contained in the hair care products and food packaging.
The arrested woman, aged 31, will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court tomorrow (November 1).
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Hong Kong Customs will continue to keep track of the latest drugs trafficking trends and formulate pertinent anti-narcotics enforcement strategies. The Department will strengthen its intelligence exchange with various overseas law enforcement agencies so as to combat transnational drug trafficking activities collaboratively.
Ends/Friday, October 31, 2014
