Air parcels packed with the party drug ketamine have been mailed to Hong Kong from India once a week for local and mainland dealers, a senior customs officer revealed yesterday.
The trafficking route was uncovered after an exchange of information with Indian customs. Inspections have since been stepped up at the airport's cargo terminal, said Senior Superintendent Ben Leung Lun-cheung, head of the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau.
'We have increased exchange of intelligence with related authorities in India to stop the trade and find out the sources of the drug,' he said.
Two customs officers flew to India earlier this month. Previously, customs had to seek help from Indian authorities through their office in Hong Kong.
'Through the meeting, we have established direct contacts with officials in India. We believe they can help us track down the sources of the drug in their country in order to stop the trade,' Mr Leung said.
About 10 days after the meeting, customs officers made the first seizure on March 16 - 5kg of ketamine hidden in an airmail parcel.
The second find came yesterday when officers seized 7.5kg of high-grade ketamine from an express mail parcel, also from India. The haul had a retail price of $1.4 million and was destined for Shenzhen.
