Hong Kong Customs on December 20 seized about 47.1 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about $37 million at Hong Kong International Airport. Four persons suspected to be connected with the case were arrested.
Through risk assessment, Customs on that day selected a consignment, declared as carrying ornaments and arriving from Malaysia, for inspection. Upon examination, Customs officers found that the batch of suspected heroin was molded into two pieces of ornaments, weighing about 47.1kg in total, with surfaces coated.
Upon a follow-up investigation, Customs officers conducted controlled delivery operations and arrested a 25-year-old male consignee who claimed to be unemployed and a 58-year-old male driver at Yau Tong yesterday (December 21). Later, Customs further arrested a 32-year-old man and a 21-yeard-old woman, who claimed to be an insurance agent and a clerk respectively, in Central and Western District.
An investigation is 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 in 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, December 22, 2023
