Customs cracked the largest methamphetamine case in history, and seized a total of about 700 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine in two batches of air freight transformers and shipping shock absorbers, both from Mexico, with an estimated market value of about 400 million yuan.
Customs pointed out that cross-border drug trafficking syndicates used some communication software on social platforms to carry out long-distance logistics and transportation between the mainland and Hong Kong. When the goods arrived in Hong Kong, the drug dealers instructed the mainland logistics company to store the goods in Hong Kong before processing them in order to wait for buyers. The practice is quite similar. cunning.
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Hong Kong Customs and the Anti-smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of Customs, the Anti-smuggling Bureau of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs, and the Anti-smuggling Bureau of Shenzhen Customs launched a joint anti-drug operation code-named "Cloud War - Disruption" in March. About 700 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated market value of about $400 million were seized at the Hong Kong International Airport and a logistics warehouse, making it the largest methamphetamine case ever detected by the Customs.
Two local men, aged 43 and 44, were arrested and released after investigation.
Li Wen, the supervisor of the Airport Investigation Division of the Customs Narcotics Investigation Division, told the case, saying that during the routine cargo selection process, officers through risk assessment and analysis of air cargo data found that a batch of goods sent from Mexico arrived in Hong Kong on March 15, reported that Three transformers weighing a total of 1.5 tons are suspicious.
Since Mexico is one of the sources of drugs, it is not common for Mexico to transfer large-scale machines to Hong Kong. In addition, the consignor transports the goods to Hong Kong through an air logistics company in his own name, which is also the first time that the consignment has been consigned to Hong Kong. In the past six months, the customs has In the case of seizure of smuggled drugs through transformers, customs officers through the air cargo clearance system based on the above three risk indicators will select this shipment for further inspection.
On March 18, the customs inspected the batch of transformers by X-ray and found that they were different. However, because the metal casing of the transformer was sealed, the personnel used tools to disassemble one of the components of the transformer and found that three transformers were full of objects suspected of oil.
Officers took liquids for testing. One of the samples was darker and the other two were transparent. After testing with a drug test agent and an anion analyzer, it was found that all three samples had a positive reaction to methamphetamine, so they were forwarded to the Drug Investigation Division for further investigation.
Officers of the Airport Investigation Division arrested a 44-year-old local man who came to receive the goods at the airport cargo terminal. He was the owner of a transportation company. He was entrusted by a mainland logistics company to collect the goods at the airport and transport them to a warehouse in Fanling.
Li Jinrong, Senior Superintendent of the Narcotics Investigation Division of the Customs, explained that the drug trafficking syndicate first used a mainland logistics company to transport a batch of transformers suspected of containing methamphetamine from Mexico to Hong Kong by air. After arriving at Hong Kong, they used a local logistics chain to store the goods in a warehouse in Fanling.
Immediately after the discovery, Hong Kong Customs and the Anti-Smuggling Bureau of the General Administration of Customs launched a special anti-drug operation called "Cloud War - Breaking the Flow". Shock-absorbing glue for industrial use, shipped from Mexico to port.
After X-ray inspection, it was found that there were foreign objects in the shock absorber. With the assistance of the Fire Services Department, 10 shock absorbers were sawed open. About 253 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a market value of 150 million yuan were seized, and a 43-year-old warehouse manager was arrested.
Li said that the drug trafficking group used some communication software on social platforms to contact the mainland logistics company remotely and requested to handle some cross-border goods to Hong Kong. When the goods arrived in Hong Kong, the drug dealer instructed the mainland logistics company to store the goods in Hong Kong before processing.
Mainland logistics companies will ask Hong Kong logistics companies to cooperate.
Drug dealers don't have to show up and control the transport chain.
Li Jinrong pointed out that this batch of drugs has not been released into the market, and it does not involve local drug trafficking groups for the time being. It is estimated that overseas drug trafficking groups temporarily store the batch of drugs in Hong Kong, waiting for potential buyers. It is not ruled out that the drugs will be transferred to nearby areas.
As for the mastermind behind the scenes, Hong Kong Customs will continue to hunt down with mainland law enforcement agencies, and more arrests cannot be ruled out.
Customs seizures of methamphetamine increased tenfold compared with the same period last year
He said that the customs seized about 1.5 tons of various types of drugs this year, an increase of 1.3 times compared with 115 kilograms in the same period last year.
The most seized was methamphetamine, with a total of 814 kilograms, an increase of more than 10 times compared with 71 kilograms last year.
This was followed by cocaine at 274kg, up 53% from 177kg in the same period last year.
During the epidemic, drug cartels used heavy-duty industrial machines to sell large quantities of drugs. Because of their relatively solid structure and excessive weight, they "basically lifted the canal" to evade detection.
However, he stressed that the Hong Kong Customs is equipped with different types of high-tech investigative instruments, and criminals who use heavy industrial machinery to hide drugs cannot escape the eye.
Customs urges the public to be more vigilant, not to engage in drug trafficking activities for the sake of money, not to accept any person's appointment or entrustment to transport controlled items into and out of Hong Kong, and not to rashly assist others in transporting the items without confirming the properties of the items.
In addition, members of the public should refrain from handing over their personal data or addresses to others for the purpose of receiving parcels or goods.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.
Members of the public can report suspected drug trafficking activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline at 2545 6182 or through the dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).