Three arrested after 8.4 kilograms of heroin found in durian shipment

Customs officials said on Saturday they have arrested three people after seizing about 8.4 kilograms of suspected heroin with an estimated market value of about HK$5.8 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

Customs said officers on Friday inspected an air consignment, declared as carrying durian and mochi, and arriving in Hong Kong from Malaysia, at the Hong Kong International Airport. Upon inspection, officers found about 8.4kg of suspected heroin therein.

A controlled delivery operation later that day in Mong Kok led to the arrest of three men, aged between 25 and 53, suspected to be connected with the case, said Customs.

According to a Customs spokesman, the drug syndicate tried to disguise the dangerous drugs as dry ice, and packed them inside foam boxes with the durian to avoid being detected.

The spokesman reminded members of the public that under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offense. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment.