Hong Kong Customs on August 26 shut down a suspected drug storage centre in Mong Kok and seized about 53.9 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs with a total estimated market value of about $36.2 million. A 49-year-old South African man was arrested.

Customs officers intercepted a man during an anti-narcotics operation in Central last night (August 27). The man refused to co-operate and forcibly pushed an officer away. He was promptly subdued by officers on the scene. Subsequently, about 11kg of suspected cocaine was seized from his rucksack. The man was then arrested.

Customs officers later escorted him to a residential premises in Mong Kok for a search and further seized about 42.9kg of suspected cocaine.

After an investigation, the arrested man has been charged with one count of obstructing a member of the Customs and Excise Service and two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (August 29).

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 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Friday, August 28, 2026