Airport drug busts net HK$15 million in ketamine
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago1 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong Customs said three arriving passengers were arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday in two separate suspected drug trafficking cases involving ketamine. Officers seized about 38 kilogrammes of suspected ketamine with an estimated market value of about HK$15 million.
Key Points
- In the first case, a 51-year-old local woman and a 26-year-old local man arrived from Rome and were found carrying about 36kg of suspected ketamine in checked-in suitcases.
- In the second case, a 40-year-old mainland male passenger arrived from Kuala Lumpur with about 2kg of suspected ketamine concealed in a false compartment of his suitcase.
- Customs said the three suspects have been charged with drug trafficking and are due to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Thursday.
- The combined seizure from the two airport cases totalled about 38kg of suspected ketamine, with an estimated market value of about HK$15 million.
- Customs said it will continue using risk assessment to target passengers arriving from regions it considers high risk.
Why It Matters
The cases point to continued enforcement pressure at Hong Kong International Airport, where customs officers are screening inbound passengers and baggage for concealed narcotics. The court appearances on Thursday will be the next immediate step as the prosecutions move forward.