Hong Kong Customs arrested a 29-year-old man and seized a quantity of dangerous drugs at the Hong Kong and Macau Ferry Terminal last (September 29) night.
The arrested man is suspected of being connected with a transnational dangerous drugs syndicate smashed recently in Cebu, the Philippines.
With the co-operation of international law enforcement agencies, including the Hong Kong Customs Drug Investigation Bureau; the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Macau authorities, the Philippines National Police and the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency arrested 11 men and seized $180 million worth "ice" and chemicals fitted for the manufacturing of "ice".
With an aim to root out the transnational dangerous drug syndicate, officers from the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau conducted intensive investigations and intelligence analysis. Acting on the result of the investigations, the officers successfully arrested the man about 11.45pm yesterday when he was about to leave Hong Kong for Macau.
Officers seized five grams of ice, 1.6 grams of ketamine, 0.3 grams of cocaine and an ice tablet. The officers also seized from the man a total of $820,000 in US and Hong Kong banknotes, and a batch of bank passbooks, with total deposits of $11 million.
The man will be charged with "possession of a dangerous drug" under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
Commenting on the case, the Assistant Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr William Chow Oi-tung, said today (September 30) that transnational drug trafficking crimes transcended geographical boundaries and was becoming more sophisticated.
"To strengthen the fight against narcotics trafficking activities, the Hong Kong Customs will endeavor to enhance international co-operation and intelligence exchange. We will also take proactive actions to curb with the ever-changing situations," Mr Chow said.
Ends/Thursday, September 30, 2004