Hong Kong customs seizes $8.9m in drugs, arrests three in airport and Tai Po raids

Hong Kong Customs busted two drug trafficking operations at the airport and a suspected distribution center in Tai Po, confiscating around 15 kilograms of ketamine, 1.7 kilograms of heroin, cannabis products and etomidate worth a total of $8.9 million, while arresting three men.

On December 4 (Thu), officers inspecting an air cargo parcel from Belgium declared as office display items discovered 15 kilograms of suspected ketamine valued at HK$6.1 million hidden inside.

A controlled delivery on December 11 led to the arrest of two men, aged 46 and 29, in Sha Tin and Tai Po.

A search of the younger suspect's Tai Po premises uncovered an additional 1 kilogram of suspected cannabis buds, 40 capsules and 660 grams of suspected liquid etomidate, plus 8 grams of suspected cannabis oil, estimated at HK$2.1 million.

Separately, on December 12, a 25-year-old man arriving from Bangkok was caught with 1.7 kilograms of suspected heroin worth HK$680,000 concealed in his carry-on suitcase during clearance.

He faces trafficking charges and will appear at West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on December 13.

The first case remains under investigation.

Authorities urged the public to avoid involvement in drug activities, especially carrying items for others, and vowed continued risk-based enforcement against transnational trafficking.

Convictions carry up to HK$5 million in fines and life imprisonment.