Woman jailed 63 months over drug exports and laundering
RTHK · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
A local woman was sentenced at the District Court on September 23 to a total of 63 months' imprisonment for illegally exporting and possessing controlled pharmaceutical products, as well as laundering crime proceeds. The offences breached the Import and Export Ordinance, the Trade Descriptions Ordinance, the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, and the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance, according to Hong Kong Customs
Key Points
- Hong Kong Customs said the woman was convicted over illegal export and possession of controlled pharmaceutical products, with some of the seized drugs identified as counterfeit products.
- Between September and October 2021, officers seized about 1.6 million controlled pharmaceutical pills at the airport, a Hung Hom industrial building unit, and a Sheung Wan logistics service centre.
- The seized products had an estimated market value of about HK$55 million, and investigators said the woman recruited others to package and mail the drugs.
- Customs said she rented an industrial building unit to run the operation and used her personal bank account to receive unexplained transfers and cash.
- Investigators said she handled up to HK$15 million in crime proceeds and withdrew money from the same account to pay wages and postage.
Why It Matters
Customs said it welcomed the sentence, arguing that the prison term carries a strong deterrent effect and underlines the seriousness of attempting to export controlled drugs, export counterfeit goods, and launder money. Prosecutors have also applied under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance to confiscate about HK$470,000 in frozen assets, extending the case beyond imprisonment to asset recovery.