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| Marijuana buds seized by Customs (Customs photo) |
A Filipina tourist who arrived from Bangkok and charged with drug trafficking after 15.5 kilos of cannabis (marijuana) buds were found in her checked-in luggage, was returned to jail today after appearing at the West Kowloon Court.
Ma Cristina Fernandez, 28 years old who listed her occupation
as “freelancer”, has been in detention since her arrest last Oct. 18, 2025 at
a baggage examination counter at the Customs Arrival Hall B at the Hong Kong
International Airport.
Principal Magistrate Don So remanded her after adjourning to March 11 her case
of violating sections 4 (1) (a) and (3) of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
The Customs and Excise Department, which filed the complaint against Fernandez,
said she was one of two women arrested separately on that day for bringing in a
total of 26 kilos of marijuana, with an estimated market value of about $5.2
million.
In the first case. Customs officers found about 15.5kg of suspected cannabis
buds in Fernandez’s check-in baggage, worth an estimated $3.1 million. She was subsequently arrested.
In the second case, a 26-year-old female passenger also arrived
in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand. During customs clearance, Customs officers
found about 10.5kg of suspected cannabis buds with an estimated market value of
about $2.1 million, in her check-in baggage. She was also arrested.
In a press statement, the department reminded members of the
public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for
monetary return.
“They must not accept hiring or delegation from another
party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also
reminded not to carry unknown items for other people,” it added.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a
dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a
fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
