3 arrested at Hong Kong airport over drugs worth HK$9 million
Passengers, including one from Malaysia, charged with drug trafficking after suspected cocaine and ketamine found in luggage
Hong Kong customs officers have arrested three travellers, including a man from Malaysia, for allegedly smuggling drugs in separate cases involving more than HK$9 million (US$1.16 million) at the airport.
The Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday officers seized about 4.5kg (9.9lbs) of suspected liquid cocaine and about 12kg of suspected ketamine from the three passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday. The suspected drugs had a combined market value of HK$9.4 million.
Officers arrested a 32-year-old man from Malaysia during customs clearance after finding 2kg of suspected ketamine in tea leaf packaging in his carry-on suitcase.
In the second case, about 4.5kg of suspected liquid cocaine was found in the checked-in suitcase of a 26-year-old man who arrived from Sao Paulo, Brazil, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The suspected drugs were concealed in two wine bottles and three personal care products.
In the third case, a 46-year-old male passenger arriving from Paris, France, was found with about 10kg of suspected ketamine hidden in protein powder packaging inside his checked-in suitcase.
