$9m ketamine haul found in suitcase at HK airport

A 51-year-old local man was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday after nearly nine kilograms of suspected ketamine worth about HK$9 million were found in his suitcase.

Officers from the West Kowloon regional special duty squad, acting on intelligence and after investigation, intercepted the man with Customs officers in the arrival hall. He had arrived on a flight from Zurich.

Nine packages containing about 18 kilograms of the suspected drug were found in his luggage. The man was detained on suspicion of trafficking in a dangerous drug.

Police warned that drug trafficking is a serious offence. Traffickers often recruit and lure others to transport drugs into Hong Kong from overseas, using various methods to conceal the narcotics.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty for drug trafficking is a $5 million fine and life imprisonment.