Three Charged After HK$15 Million Airport Ketamine Seizure
HK01 · 5 SOURCES32 minutes ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said three arrested passengers have now been charged after officers uncovered two separate drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport involving about 38 kilograms of suspected ketamine worth around HK$15 million. The two cases involved two local passengers arriving from Rome and a mainland Chinese man arriving from Kuala Lumpur, with all three due to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on August 27.
Key Points
- In the first case, a 51-year-old local woman and a 26-year-old local man arrived in Hong Kong from Rome, Italy, on August 25.
- Customs officers found about 36 kilograms of suspected ketamine inside the pair's checked suitcases during clearance checks and arrested both passengers.
- In the second case, a 40-year-old mainland Chinese male passenger arrived from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the same day.
- Officers discovered about two kilograms of suspected ketamine hidden in a false compartment of his checked baggage, leading to his arrest.
- The two local suspects were jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, while the third suspect faces a separate trafficking charge.
Why It Matters
Customs said it will continue using intelligence analysis and risk management to target passengers arriving from higher-risk places as part of its anti-narcotics work. The department also renewed its warning that trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence punishable by a maximum fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment upon conviction.