Hong Kong Customs seizes millions worth of drugs in joint operation with Australian authorities

Hong Kong Customs mounted a joint operation with the Australian Border Force and the Australian Federal Police against drug trafficking activities by air consignments in June. During the operation, the authorities of the two places intercepted four air consignments that were used to conceal a total of about 13.5 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine and about 6kg of suspected cocaine. Of the total seizure, about 12.5kg of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $6.8 million was seized by Hong Kong Customs.

After a follow-up investigation, Hong Kong Customs searched a commercial building unit in Tsim Sha Tsui on June 23. About 500 grams of suspected liquid methamphetamine, a large batch of drug packaging paraphernalia, and materials suspected to be used to produce the moulds used for drug concealment were seized there. A 27-year-old man was also arrested.

The arrested man who declared to be unemployed has been charged with three counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

The Australian law enforcement officers then swiftly arrested a 17-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case in Perth, Australia, on June 25.

Customs will continue to fiercely combat cross-boundary drug trafficking activities through proactive risk management and intelligence-based enforcement strategies, close cooperation with Mainland and overseas law enforcement agencies, as well as strengthened mutual intelligence exchanges. Under the Dangerous Drug 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).