A 48-year-old mainland Chinese man was arrested today (November 12) after customs officers discovered 5.5 kilograms of suspected ecstasy cocaine hidden in his luggage upon arrival from Manila, Philippines. The estimated value of the drugs is around HK$6 million. The man's luggage contained packages of ecstasy that were made to look like chocolate snacks, with additional indentations to make them more convincing. According to customs photos, drug dealers attempted to make the ecstasy pills look as realistic as possible by packaging them in this manner. The case is currently under investigation.
Customs officials highlighted that they would continue to target high-risk areas and passengers based on intelligence and risk management principles for customs inspections, to effectively combat cross-border drug smuggling. Customs also appealed to the public to be vigilant and not to participate in drug trafficking for financial gain. They advised citizens not to accept requests from others to transport controlled items into or out of Hong Kong, and to avoid helping others transport items without first confirming their nature.
The drugs discovered weighed 5.5 kilograms, with a market value of approximately HK$6 million. Customs photographs showed the meticulously crafted method used by drug dealers to deceive customs officers and evade detection. This case underscores the persistent nature of drug trafficking and the ongoing efforts by customs to combat such unlawful activities.