3 held for allegedly smuggling HK$10 million of cocaine, ketamine to Hong Kong
Customs found alleged drugs hidden in suspects’ bodies, stuffed toys and checked baggage in separate crackdowns over Christmas
Customs officers have arrested three people for allegedly smuggling HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) of cocaine and ketamine hidden in their bodies, stuffed toys and checked luggage upon arrival at Hong Kong airport over Christmas.
Two of the suspects were charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs and appeared in West Kowloon Court on Thursday. The third, meanwhile, is currently under medical surveillance.
About 6.6kg (14.6lbs) of suspected cocaine and 10kg of suspected ketamine were seized during the crackdowns by the Customs and Excise Department on Tuesday and Wednesday.
On Christmas Eve, a 46-year-old man who arrived in the city from Lagos in Nigeria via Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa was observed acting suspiciously during customs clearance.
Officers believed he was concealing drugs within his body and took him to a hospital for examination. He expelled 69 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 1.2kg on the following day.
A 29-year-old man arriving from London via Doha on Tuesday was found with 5.4kg of suspected cocaine concealed in two stuffed toys in a carry-on suitcase.
