Hong Kong customs seizes 6 tonnes of drugs, worth HK$3.1 billion, in 11 months, most in 20 years
- Total for 11 months, worth HK$3.1 billion, exceeded four tonnes seized over all of 2021
- But authorities say city is not becoming drug transit hub, and record number result of better enforcement
Hong Kong customs officials seized six tonnes (6.6 tons) of drugs worth more than HK$3.1 billion (US$397 million) from January to November, beating the record annual haul over the past two decades.
Methamphetamine, also known as Ice, accounted for half the total and arrived mostly by air or sea from Mexico. Other drugs seized included 692kg of cocaine, 540kg of ketamine, 419kg of cannabis and 88kg of heroin.
Their biggest haul this year involved HK$1.1 billion worth of liquid meth disguised as cartons of coconut water from Mexico in October.
The total for 11 months exceeded the four tonnes seized over the whole of last year of 2021 and 2020’s 3.4 tonnes.
Despite the sharp rise, Assistant Commissioner (Boundary and Ports) Ida Ng Kit-ching told the Post there was no evidence that Hong Kong had become a transit hub for drugs. She said the increase was the result of strict enforcement and several major busts.
