Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport (with photos)

Hong Kong Customs detects two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at airport (with photos)

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     ​Hong Kong Customs detected two incoming passenger drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 2.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $2.7 million over the past two days (May 22 and 23).  

     In the first case, Customs officers on May 22 intercepted at the airport a 42-year-old female passenger, who arrived in Hong Kong from Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, via Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Doha, Qatar. During Customs clearance, Customs officers found her to be suspicious, and suspected that she had dangerous drugs concealed inside her body cavity. The woman was then escorted to the hospital for examination. 

     Upon examination, Customs officers confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside her body cavity on the same day. The woman was arrested immediately. As at 6pm today (May 24), the arrested woman has excreted 127 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1kg in total. The estimated market value was about $1.1 million.  

     In the second case, Customs officers yesterday intercepted at the airport a 68-year-old female passenger arriving in Hong Kong from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, via Doha, Qatar. During Customs clearance on her, Customs officers found about 1.5kg of suspected cocaine, with an estimated market value of about $1.6 million, concealed inside the false compartments of her hand-carry baggage. The woman was subsequently arrested.

     The arrested woman of the first case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (May 25). For the second case, an investigation is ongoing.

     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.  

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at online diaper retailer

Hong Kong Customs combats unfair trade practices at online diaper retailer

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     ​Hong Kong Customs today (May 17) arrested a male suspected of engaging in wrongly accepting payments on presale coupons of diaper on the Internet, in contravention of the Trade Descriptions Ordinance (TDO).

     Customs earlier received reports alleging that a diaper retailer sold presale coupons of diaper through a social media platform but failed to supply the ordered goods within the specified date or a reasonable period after accepting payments from a number of customers for purchasing the presale coupons. Also, no refund was offered.

     After investigation, Customs officers today arrested a 46-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case. He is the person-in-charge of the retailer concerned.

     An investigation is ongoing and the arrested man has been released on bail pending further investigation.

     Customs has all along been concerned about illegal online sales activities. It has strived to combat unfair trade practices on websites to protect consumers’ interests.

     Under the TDO, any trader commits an offence if at the time of acceptance of payment, the trader intends not to supply the product or intends to supply a materially different product, or there are no reasonable grounds for believing that the trader will be able to supply the product within a specified or reasonable period. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment of five years.

     Customs reminds traders to comply with the requirements of the TDO. Traders should not accept advance payments from consumers if they are uncertain whether the pertinent goods or services can be delivered to consumers within a specific or reasonable time. Before making prepaid consumption of product, consumers should pay attention to the risk of prepaid consumption and its supply quantity and supply period. Also, they should make orders through reputable traders. After purchasing the products, consumers should keep the transaction receipts and related records, which can become the basic information in case a complaint is lodged in the future.

     Members of the public may report any suspected violations of the TDO to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine worth about $8 million at airport (with photo)

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine worth about $8 million at airport (with photo)

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     ​Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 14) seized about 10 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $8 million at Hong Kong International Airport. 

     A 66-year-old male passenger yesterday arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Paris, France. During customs clearance, Customs officers found 17 pieces of bed sheets, soaked with suspected liquid cocaine with a total weight of about 10kg, inside his checked-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers today (May 15) further arrested a 54-year-old woman in Tin Shui Wai suspected to be connected with the case.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine worth about $1.4 million at airport (with photo)

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected liquid cocaine worth about $1.4 million at airport (with photo)

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     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (May 12) detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 1.8 kilograms of suspected liquid cocaine with an estimated market value of about $1.4 million. An incoming man was arrested.

     A 76-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Dubai and Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found five items of personal hygiene products, concealed with suspected liquid cocaine with a total weight of about 1.8kg, inside his checked-in suitcase. The man was subsequently arrested.

     An investigation is ongoing.

     Following the resumption of normal travel and exchanges with the Mainland and other parts of the world, the number of visitors to Hong Kong has also been increasing steadily. Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

     Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

     Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

Hong Kong – Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of “Customs YES” Honorary Presidents’ Association (with photos)

Hong Kong Customs holds inaugural ceremony of “Customs YES” Honorary Presidents’ Association (with photos)

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     ​Hong Kong Customs today (May 11) held the inaugural ceremony of the “Customs YES” Honorary Presidents’ Association (CYHPA) at the Customs Headquarters Building. The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Ms Louise Ho, presented appointment certificates to the Chairperson, Mr Karson Choi; Vice-chairpersons Mr Albert Chuang and Mr Michael Cheng; the honorary presidents; and various supporting organisations. The directorates of the department and members of the Executive Committee of “Customs YES” also attended the ceremony.

     The CYHPA comprises different enthusiastic community leaders from the business sector who work as a team to contribute valuable strategy and render various kinds of support to the activities organised by “Customs YES”, and to promote the “4C” core development directions, namely “Country”, “Community”, “Customs” and “Calibre”, with committed efforts.

     Ms Ho said at the inaugural ceremony that the establishment of the CYHPA strengthens the synergy effect of the existing youth work of the Executive Committee of “Customs YES” and further assists Customs in providing more holistic activities and training to young people, helping them unleash their full potential in society and contribute to Hong Kong and the country.

     In his speech, Mr Choi said that members of the CYHPA endeavour to work closely with Customs to foster positive values and strengthen the sense of belonging to society of young people, as well as cultivate their sense of national identity and patriotism.

     Since its launch in 2021, “Customs YES” has received overwhelming support from the community and has gained popularity among young people. As at today, over 4 100 young individuals aged between 12 and 24 have become members of “Customs YES”.