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

On September 22, Hong Kong Customs discovered a case of dangerous drugs hidden at Hong Kong International Airport, seizing approximately 1 kilogram of suspected cocaine, with an estimated market value of approximately $720,000.

A 33-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong that day from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Paris, France and Zurich, Switzerland. During customs clearance, customs officers found her suspicious and suspected that the passenger had hidden dangerous drugs in her body cavity. She was then taken to hospital for examination.

After examination, a doctor determined that the woman had concealed foreign objects in her body cavity and was subsequently arrested. At 4:30 p.m. today (September 24), the arrested person had discharged 96 pellets of suspected cocaine, weighing approximately 1 kg in total.

Charges have been filed against the arrested woman, with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be heard tomorrow (September 25) 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 September 24, 2024

Released at HKT 17:30

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