Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $2 million at airport (with photo)
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     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (March 10) detected a passenger drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport and seized about 10.25 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about $2 million.
     A local woman arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand, last night. Following suspicious images being found during an X-ray examination of the woman’s suitcase, Customs officers subsequently opened the suitcase for a closer inspection. Later, about 10.25kg of suspected cannabis buds were found inside the suitcase and the 65-year-old woman was subsequently arrested.
     An investigation is ongoing.
     Following the increasing number of visitors to Hong Kong, 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.
     With Easter holidays approaching, Customs believes that the local demand for drugs will increase. The department will therefore further step up enforcement action to fiercely combat different kinds of dangerous drug trafficking activities during the long holidays. Customs again reminds the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. 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) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).