Hong Kong customs seizes 5,704 kilograms of drugs in first half of year

Hong Kong customs officials confiscated 5,704 kilograms of illegal narcotics during the first six months of the year, marking a 49 per cent rise compared with the same period last year, according to figures seen by the South China Morning Post.

Airport emerges as primary entry point

Nearly two-thirds of the total haul, 3,408 kilograms, was discovered at the city's airport, representing a 46.6 per cent year-on-year increase at that port of entry. Sea routes accounted for approximately one-third of seizures, with customs intercepting 1,954 kilograms through maritime channels, a 55.6 per cent rise. The remaining 342 kilograms were confiscated at land checkpoints and other locations across the city.

Cannabis and ketamine dominate seizures

The Customs and Excise Department's data revealed that cannabis and ketamine together made up approximately 60 per cent of all drugs seized during the six-month period. Cannabis seizures climbed 40 per cent, while ketamine confiscations surged 78.8 per cent.

The overall enforcement figures show notable increases beyond the volume of drugs intercepted. Both the number of drug cases detected by customs and the number of people arrested in connection with narcotics offences recorded slight increases during the period.

Source: South China Morning Post