16th October 2025 – (Hong Kong) Hong Kong Customs has intercepted approximately 16.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds at Hong Kong International Airport, with an estimated street value of $3.3 million. The seizure occurred on Wednesday during routine baggage inspection of a passenger arriving from Bangkok, Thailand.
A 25-year-old female traveller was taken into custody after a controlled substance was discovered concealed within her checked luggage. Authorities have formally charged the individual with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, with her initial court appearance scheduled for Thursday at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts.
This interception forms part of a concerning pattern of cannabis trafficking detections at Hong Kong’s border controls, with authorities reporting near-daily seizures of illicit substances in recent operations. The Customs and Excise Department has intensified its enforcement strategy, employing advanced risk assessment protocols and targeted passenger screening from regions identified as high-probability sources for narcotics transportation.
The department issued a renewed public warning regarding the severe legal consequences for drug trafficking offences, which can result in lifetime imprisonment and substantial financial penalties under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Officials further cautioned citizens against transporting unknown items for third parties or accepting financial incentives to carry controlled materials across international borders.
