Hong Kong customs seizes HK$160 million worth of drugs in run up to Christmas
Officers arrest 22 people in 83 detected cases at airport, seize total of 373kg of cannabis, ‘ice’ and other drugs between November 1 and Monday
Hong Kong customs has seized HK$160 million (US$20.6 million) worth of narcotics hidden by international drug syndicates in a variety of items including a porcelain Christmas snowman decoration and a baby car seat, ahead of the year-end holiday season.
The Customs and Excise Department said on Thursday various drugs weighing a combined 373kg (822lbs) were seized in 83 cases detected at Hong Kong International Airport between November 1 and Monday, leading to the arrest of 22 people.
In one case, a snowman decoration that arrived on November 16 from Germany raised suspicions during an X-ray scan.
Inside the snowman, officers found a powder-like substance later confirmed to be ketamine. The 8.5kg haul was estimated to have a street value of HK$4.12 million.
Separately, on December 7, a shipment from Germany labelled as containing a baby car seat was found to have a cracked component and a hidden compartment in the cushion.
Officers discovered 2.5kg of concealed Ecstasy pills, with an estimated market value of HK$420,000.
The greatest quantity by weight among the drugs seized was cannabis, with a total haul of 100kg – an increase of more than 60 per cent from the same period last year.
