Customs seizes ketamine in Germany parcel, arrests three
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said it intercepted a courier parcel sent from Germany to Hong Kong and declared as carrying ceramics, only to find about 5.7 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside. A controlled delivery operation in Sheung Shui on September 23 then led officers to arrest a 55-year-old man who collected the parcel, a 21-year-old woman identified as the intended final recipient, and a 22-year-old woman nearby.
Key Points
- Customs stopped the parcel on September 22 after intelligence analysis, and officers found ceramic blocks concealing about 5.7 kilograms of suspected ketamine.
- The parcel had been sent from Germany to Hong Kong by courier and was declared as containing ceramics, according to Customs.
- During the monitored delivery on September 23, officers arrested a 55-year-old local man outside a village house unit in Sheung Shui after he received the package.
- Officers then identified a 21-year-old local woman as the parcel’s final recipient and found 27,600 suspected illicit cigarettes in her private car; a 22-year-old local woman with her was also arrested.
- The seized ketamine and illicit cigarettes had a combined estimated market value of about HK$2.2 million, while investigators believe the 21-year-old woman was lured by a payment of several thousand Hong Kong dollars.
Why It Matters
The case points to the use of overseas courier parcels and family-linked collection arrangements in suspected drug trafficking and illicit cigarette distribution, both of which Customs said it will continue to investigate. The 55-year-old man has been charged with trafficking in a dangerous drug, while the 21-year-old woman faces that charge plus handling goods to which the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance applies; both are due in Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on September 25.