Hong Kong customs busts largest cannabis trafficking in 10 years at airport

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong customs seized about 70 kg of suspected cannabis buds at Hong Kong International Airport last week, the largest cannabis trafficking case detected by the customs at the airport in the past decade, an official statement said Thursday.

Customs officers on Jan 17 found the batch of suspected cannabis buds inside 32 speakers wrapped with tinfoil and vacuum bags, which arrived in Hong Kong from Canada.

After follow-up investigations, a 50-year-old man suspected to be involved in the case has been arrested, and was released on bail pending further investigation.

The customs said cannabis and controlled cannabinoids, such as tetrahydro-cannabinol, are controlled dangerous drugs in Hong Kong and it is a criminal offense to bring such products into Hong Kong.

Trafficking in dangerous drugs could lead to life imprisonment and a fine of 5 million Hong Kong dollars (about $650,000).