Hong Kong Customs discovers case of internal concealment of dangerous drugs with passenger at airport (with photo)

On August 11, Hong Kong Customs discovered a case of dangerous drugs hidden at Hong Kong International Airport, seizing approximately 624 grams of suspected cocaine, with an estimated market value of approximately $500,000.


A 32-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong that day from Johannesburg, South Africa, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. During customs clearance, customs officers discovered that she had concealed foreign objects in her body cavity. The woman was immediately arrested and taken to a hospital for examination. After examination, a doctor also confirmed that there were foreign objects in the woman’s body cavity.


Today (August 13) at 2:00 p.m. the arrested person had discharged 22 pellets of suspected cocaine, with a total weight of approximately 624 grams.


The arrested woman has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be heard tomorrow (August 14) at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.


Given the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, Customs will continue to adopt a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance in order to combat transnational drug trafficking.


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


Citizens can report suspected drug trafficking through the Customs 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182, through the dedicated crime reporting email address ([email protected]) or through the online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

End/Tuesday August 13, 2024

Released at HKT 15:22

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