Hong Kong customs seize cannabis at airport, arrest two mainland men
Hong Kong customs arrested a 43-year-old mainland Chinese man at the airport after finding suspected cannabis in his luggage. A second mainland man, aged 52, was later arrested. Both face drug trafficking charges; the second man also faces tobacco offences.
Hong Kong customs have arrested two mainland Chinese men in connection with a drug trafficking case at the airport. A 43-year-old male passenger was intercepted on 6 October after arriving from Manila, the Philippines. During clearance, customs officers discovered a quantity of suspected cannabis flower in his hand-carried suitcase. He was immediately taken into custody.
Following further investigation, officers arrested a second suspect, a 52-year-old mainland Chinese man, who had arrived from Bangkok, Thailand on the same day. During clearance, customs officers found 88 untaxed cigarettes in his carry-on luggage.
Both men have been jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The second man faces additional charges of possessing dutiable goods and failing to declare them to customs officers. The case is scheduled to be heard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on 8 October.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in dangerous drugs is a serious offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of up to HK$5 million and life imprisonment. Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods. Importing, possessing, selling or buying illicit cigarettes is illegal, with a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years in jail.
Customs said it would continue to use intelligence analysis and risk management to step up efforts against drug trafficking, focusing on passengers from high-risk regions. It urged the public to remain vigilant, not to accept any offer or commission to transport controlled items into or out of Hong Kong, and not to help others move goods without verifying their nature.
The public can report suspected drug trafficking activities via the Customs 24-hour hotline 182 8080, the dedicated crime reporting email account ([email protected]), or the online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).