24th December 2024 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs has intercepted a significant drug trafficking operation at Hong Kong International Airport, seizing approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine valued at around $1.3 million on 22nd December.
The operation involved two female passengers, aged 46 and 42, who arrived from Entebbe, Uganda, via Doha, Qatar. During routine Customs clearance, officers became suspicious of the passengers, suspecting they were concealing dangerous drugs within their body cavities. Following this, the individuals were taken to a hospital for examination, where medical professionals confirmed the presence of foreign objects. Both women were subsequently arrested.
As of 24th December, the arrested individuals have expelled a total of 115 pellets containing the suspected cocaine, weighing collectively about 1.5 kilograms. Each has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, with the case scheduled to be heard at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on 26th December.
In response to this incident, Customs officials reiterated their commitment to combating transnational drug trafficking by employing a risk assessment approach, focusing on passengers arriving from high-risk regions. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug carries severe penalties, with a maximum fine of $5 million and a potential life sentence upon conviction.
