Customs seizes suspected cannabis buds worth about $35m

Hong Kong Customs announced on Monday that they seized approximately 138 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about HK$35 million in Kwai Chung on March 12.

Through risk assessment, Customs inspected a seaborne consignment on that day, which arrived in Hong Kong from Thailand and was declared as carrying frozen pork, at the Kwai Chung Customs Cargo Examination Compound.

Officials became suspicious and detained a container for inspection due to several red flags—the sender had no prior record of maritime shipments, the recipient was a local logistics company, and Thailand, the origin country, is one of the nations where cannabis is legalized.

On March 12, using a mobile X-ray vehicle, customs inspected the container and noticed that the density of some goods at the deepest part was different from other items.

Upon opening the container, officials found suspicious red markings on the surface of the innermost cardboard boxes, which differed from those containing frozen meat.

Upon further inspection, Customs officers discovered around 138 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of about HK$35 million inside the container.

The investigation is ongoing.

Customs also mentioned that this is the third major maritime drug smuggling case this year.

The previous two cases occurred in February, involving the seizure of 680 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in heating plates and 459 kilograms of cannabis smuggled via a fishing boat.

Customs emphasized that despite criminals attempting to use various routes, forms, or concealment methods to traffic drugs, they will not escape the scrutiny of customs officials.

Additionally, customs urged the logistics sector to be vigilant when dealing with new clients based overseas to avoid being exploited for drug trafficking. Logistics companies are advised to initially understand the client's background and provide more information about the goods and the company.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment.