Customs seizes record HK$125 million worth of marijuana shipped by sea, arresting 3

Hong Kong customs authorities seized a record-breaking HK$125 million (US$15.93 million) worth of marijuana concealed in a 40-foot container shipped by sea. The largest drug seizure of its kind in the city's history came to light on Saturday, following a risk assessment and intelligence analysis conducted prior to the inspection at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound in September.

The container, declared to contain insulated boxes on arrival from Thailand, was found to harbor 1,342 insulated boxes, 364 of which held approximately 535kg (1,179.1 lbs) of cannabis buds, cunningly packed inside vacuum-sealed bags. Subsequent follow-up operations led to the arrest of three individuals: a 21-year-old and 47-year-old local men in Mong Kok on Thursday, and a 44-year-old Vietnamese man who arrived to collect the package on the same day.

The Vietnamese national faces one count of attempting to traffic a dangerous drug, while the local men were released on bail pending further investigation. The Dangerous Drugs Ordinance allows for life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million for those found guilty of trafficking in dangerous drugs. In the first eight months of the year, customs authorities had seized 2,875kg of marijuana, representing a 27% increase from the previous year's 2,262kg, and marking the highest figure since 2024's 2,863kg.

Over the same period, customs handled 284 marijuana-related cases and apprehended 124 people, marking a 3% increase and 25% rise, respectively, compared to the first half of 2024.