Hong Kong airport drug busts net two foreign travellers
Bastillepost · 3 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it cracked two separate drug trafficking cases involving incoming travellers at Hong Kong International Airport on November 6 and November 7. A 36-year-old Spanish man and a 44-year-old British woman were arrested after officers found about 4.5 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine and about 15.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine in checked baggage.
Key Points
- Customs said the two airport cases were detected on November 6 and November 7, with the drugs' combined estimated market value put at about HK$9 million.
- In the first case, a 36-year-old Spanish male traveller arrived from Madrid via Seoul on November 6 and was found carrying suspected liquid cocaine.
- Officers said the 4.5 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine were concealed inside three liquor bottles packed in the man's checked baggage.
- In the second case, a 44-year-old British female traveller arrived from Frankfurt on November 7 and was found with 15.4 kilograms of suspected ketamine.
- The Spanish man has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and is due at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on November 9, while the woman's case remains under investigation.
Why It Matters
The case shows continued enforcement focus on inbound passengers and checked luggage at Hong Kong International Airport, especially on routes treated as higher risk. Customs also reiterated that drug trafficking is a serious offence under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction.