Suspected smugglers arrested for allegedly trying to bring 2,100 boxes of pills used to treat Covid-19 into Hong Kong
- Largest airport bust since 2020 nets 74,000 pills bought in by two men claiming to be garment merchants
- Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog assures residents there is no need to stockpile painkillers or pay inflated prices
Hong Kong customs has arrested two men for allegedly smuggling about 2,100 boxes, or more than 74,000 pills used to treat Covid-19, with an estimated value of about HK$7 million (US$894,054), into the city from India.
Customs officials on Friday said the bust was the largest at the Hong Kong airport since 2020 and that the medicine would be sent to the government laboratory for analysis.
The two men, arriving in Hong Kong from Kolkata on Thursday, were charged with importing prohibited articles without a licence and possession of a Part One poison. They will appear at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on Saturday.
“The two arrested men claimed to be garment merchants. We do not rule out that the two men used this identity as a disguise to engage in drug smuggling,” Customs and Excise Department’s Inspector Hong Yan told the media on Friday.
“The investigation is ongoing, and the likelihood of further arrests has not been ruled out.”