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| Drugs allegedly found in luggage of Filipino arrested at HK airport |
A 21-year-old Filipino tourist was charged in court Tuesday, June 17, of drug trafficking after 8 kilos of suspected cannabis (marijuana buds) was found in his baggage on arrival at Hong Kong International Airport the day before.
The drugs, estimated to have a market value of HK1.4 million, was reportedly found in his check-in baggage during customs clearance after he flew in from Bangkok, Thailand.
The arrest prompted another warning from the Philippine Consulate General for Filipinos visiting Hong Kong to be wary of agreeing to bring in luggage at the request of another person in exchange for for free air fare or cash.
“Bilang pag-iingat, ang mga Pilipinong bibiyahe sa Hong Kong ay pinapayuhan na dalhin lamang ang mga bagaheng sila mismo ang nag-impake. Ito ay para maiwasan ang maging “mule” ng mga pinagbabawal na bagay (I.e. ipinagbabawal na gamot, nanganganib na uri ng hayop, vape at iba pa.”).
(As a precaution, Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong are advised to bring in only luggage that they themselves packed. This is to avoid becoming mules for prohibited items such as illegal drugs, endangered species, vape and others).
Photos from a press release issued by the Customs and Excise Department showed the suspected cannnabis buds wrapped in several tightly sealed plastic bags and packed inside a suitcase alongside some Thai snacks and t-shirts.
“Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities, “ said the statement.
Last year, another young Filipino tourist was also arrested at HK airport after arriving from Bangkok with allegedly HK$2 million worth of marijuana and vape in his suitcase. He remains in detention while the case against him is being heard.
Drug trafficking is a serious offence in Hong Kong, with the maximum prescribed sentence of life imprisonment and HK$5 million fine.
Any suspected drug-related activities may be reported to Customs’ 4-hour hotline, 182 8080 or its dedicated email: crimereport@customs.gov.hk or online form, form.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002.
