Hong Kong customs seize cocaine at airport from mainland traveller
Hong Kong customs arrested a 24-year-old mainland Chinese man at the airport after finding suspected cocaine and untaxed cigarettes in his hand luggage following a flight from Manila. He faces drug trafficking charges which carry a maximum penalty of HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment.
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested a 24-year-old mainland Chinese male passenger at the airport after detecting suspected cocaine and 45 untaxed cigarettes in his hand luggage during clearance checks. The man had arrived on a flight from Manila, the Philippines.
Customs officers said the case remains under investigation. They reiterated their commitment to intelligence-led enforcement against drug trafficking and urged the public to remain vigilant, warning against accepting money to transport controlled items into or out of Hong Kong. Members of the public were advised not to help carry items without verifying their contents.
Under the city's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in dangerous drugs is a serious offence carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction. The untaxed cigarettes also violate the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, which carries a maximum penalty of a HK$2 million fine and seven years' imprisonment.
Customs said it will continue to apply risk-management principles to select passengers from high-risk areas for clearance checks in order to combat cross-border drug trafficking effectively. The authority encouraged the public to report suspected drug trafficking activities via its 24-hour hotline 182 8080, the dedicated email address [email protected], or the online reporting form at eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002.
