Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $3.1 mn at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (November 16) detected a drug trafficking case involving baggage concealment at Hong Kong International Airport. They seized about 14 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about HKD$3.1 million.

A 29-year-old male passenger and a 24-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found a total of about 14kg of suspected cannabis buds inside their check-in suitcases. They were subsequently arrested.

The two arrested persons have each been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (November 18).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also 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 into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HKD$5 million and life imprisonment.

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