HK Customs seizes 8 million HKD cocaine

HONG KONG - Hong Kong Customs announced Friday that about seven kg of cocaine with an estimated market value of about 8.2 million HK dollars ($105,751) were seized at the city's airport on Jan 31.

The customs officers Thursday intercepted a foreign male passenger arriving from Santa Cruz, Bolivia at the Customs Arrival Hall of Hong Kong International Airport and seized the drugs which were concealed in the false compartments of the man's hand-carried suitcase and briefcase.

The arrestee, aged 36-year-old, claimed to be an executive. He will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at the Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court on Friday.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is up to life imprisonment and a fine of 5 million HK dollars.