Hong Kong customs seize cocaine from Philippines woman at airport
Hong Kong customs arrested a 22-year-old Filipino woman on 31 October after finding suspected cocaine in her checked luggage. She faces a drug trafficking charge in court on 2 November.
Hong Kong customs officers at the airport have arrested a 22-year-old female passenger from the Philippines after discovering suspected cocaine in her checked luggage, the government announced on 1 November.
The woman arrived from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 31 October. During clearance, customs officers found the suspected drug in her suitcase and immediately detained her.
She has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case is scheduled to be heard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court on 2 November.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment.
Customs said it would continue to use intelligence analysis to strengthen its crackdown on drug trafficking activities. It urged the public to stay alert and not to accept money to participate in drug trafficking, nor to transport controlled items into or out of Hong Kong on behalf of others without verifying the nature of the goods.
The department added that it would maintain its risk-management approach, focusing inspections on passengers from high-risk areas to ensure effective enforcement against cross-border drug trafficking.
Members of 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.
