Hong Kong Customs, through intelligence exchange with overseas law enforcement agencies, on October 23 detected a large-scale transnational dangerous drugs case at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound. About 1.8 tonnes of suspected liquid methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $1.1 billion were seized. This is the largest on record among the methamphetamine cases detected by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong history in terms of the seizure amount and market value.
Customs officers on that day inspected a seaborne consignment, declared as carrying coconut water, arriving in Hong Kong from South America and found that it contained about 7 700 bottles of paper packaging coconut water, 1 800 bottles of which had suspected liquid methamphetamine concealed inside. The total weight was about 1.8 tonnes.
An investigation is ongoing.
Customs reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities. 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).
Ends/Saturday, October 29, 2022
