Hong Kong customs arrests 10 over HK$56 million cannabis haul bound for Europe, Africa

About 240kg of suspected cannabis buds seized in month-long operation targeting a syndicate that used the city as a transit hub

Hong Kong customs has arrested 10 people and seized suspected cannabis buds worth an estimated HK$56 million (US$7 million) in a month-long operation targeting a syndicate accused of smuggling the drug from Southeast Asia to Europe and Africa via the city.

Code-named Fire Mesh, the operation ran from July 13 to August 17 and resulted in the seizure of about 240kg (529lbs) of cannabis buds, the Customs and Excise Department said on Tuesday.

“We targeted transit baggage from Southeast Asia for inspection. An average visitor arriving in or transiting through Hong Kong should have different types of clothing and personal items for a long-haul journey,” senior customs inspector Chan Kai-hin said.

“However, X-ray scans showed that the luggage contained not personal items but suspicious images of uniform parcels tightly packed inside the suitcases.”

He added that another indication was the condition of the suitcases. Those used to transport the suspected cannabis were new, unlike the luggage typically used by tourists, which might show signs of wear and tear, including scratches, stickers and labels from previous trips.

Senior customs investigator Chow Kai-kwong said an investigation was launched immediately based on the passenger information displayed on the baggage. Ten people were subsequently identified and arrested at the airport.

The suspects – nine men and one woman aged between 18 and 57 – held British, French, US and Thai passports, Chow said.