SCMP
- This is second case in two days involving inbound travellers smuggling drugs in biscuit tins
- Latest suspect left Bahrain and took ‘extremely convoluted’ route to Hong Kong, including stops in Turkey, Ethiopia, Manila and Macau
Hong Kong customs has arrested a 26-year-old man arriving from Macau and seized from his luggage about 6.3kg (14lbs) of suspected cocaine worth about HK$6.9 million (US$868,720) hidden inside four biscuit tins.
The arrest was the second in two days involving inbound travellers smuggling drugs in biscuit tins, as authorities said they had seen an increase in tourists suspected of trafficking.
The man in the latest case was arrested as he entered the city at the Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan on Saturday.
When inspecting his luggage using an X-ray machine, we found that the X-ray image of one of his plastic bags was suspicious,” Inspector Fong Tsz-yeung of the drug investigation bureau said.
He added investigations revealed the man’s four biscuit containers had signs of being opened. What is suspected to be cocaine was found inside and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking.
Customs said the man took an “extremely convoluted” route to Hong Kong.
Authorities noted the man had arrived in Macau on Saturday from Istanbul, Turkey with a stop off at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He then took a ferry to Hong Kong, they said.
