A 42-year-old Ugandan man was arrested on Monday after attempting to impersonate a consular officer to smuggle HK$81 million worth of suspected cocaine.
The arrest followed a joint police and customs operation targeting air-based drug trafficking at the airport and in the Tsim Sha Tsui area on Monday (Nov 24).
During the operation, officers identified a foreign male holding an official passport who claimed to be transporting "diplomatic materials" for a foreign consulate.
The suspect, who had arrived from South Africa, checked five pieces of luggage in his name and subsequently transported them to a hotel room in Tsim Sha Tsui.
In a swift response, officers raided the hotel room and discovered 125 kilograms of suspected cocaine, packaged in 125 bricks weighing one kilogram each.
Claiming to be unemployed, the suspect has been charged with drug trafficking and is scheduled to appear at Kowloon City Magistrates' Courts on Thursday (Nov 27).
Officials highlighted that the operation successfully prevented a large quantity of drugs from entering the local market.
According to police investigations, the syndicate attempted to exploit the privileges associated with diplomatic personnel to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
Authorities reaffirmed their determination to combat drug trafficking and expressed confidence in their ability to prevent drugs from infiltrating the city.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence which could result in a fine of up to HK$5 million and life imprisonment.
