Nearly 50% rise in drug seizures by Hong Kong customs in first half of year
Hong Kong customs recorded a nearly 50 per cent year-on-year rise in drug seizures during the first half of 2026, driven by notable increases in smuggling activities via air and sea routes. The Customs and Excise Department confiscated 5,704kg (12,575lbs) of illegal narcotics in the first half, a 49 per cent increase year on year, according to figures seen by the South China Morning Post. Nearly…
Hong Kong customs confiscated nearly 5,700 kilograms of illegal narcotics during the first half of 2026, marking a 49% increase compared to the same period last year. The majority of seized drugs, about two-thirds, were found at the airport, a 47% rise year-on-year. Nearly one-third of the drugs were intercepted at sea, representing a 56% increase.
The remaining 342 kilograms were seized at land checkpoints. Cannabis and ketamine were the most frequently seized substances, accounting for roughly 60% of the total. Customs officers noted an uptick in drug cases and arrests, attributing the rise to syndicates recruiting air passengers. Large quantities were often found in a few major interceptions, with sea shipments accounting for most of these high-value seizures.
Drug concealment methods included mixing the drugs with everyday items like sugar cubes or hollowed-out materials. Air travel remained the largest contributor to drug seizures, with a 36% increase compared to the previous year. Customs expects smugglers to adapt their methods in response to increased enforcement. The surge in cannabis seizures is linked to drug legalisation in some countries and a global rise in drug usage.
Ketamine seizures were primarily due to the synthetic drug's ease of detection during production. Customs plans to enhance intelligence exchanges and collaborations with overseas law enforcement agencies to counter the evolving drug smuggling tactics.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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