Customs officials in Hong Kong early last week confiscated about 10 kilogrammes of cannabis buds worth over 8 million baht in eight parcels declared as snacks and breakfast cereals from Thailand. The cannabis buds were sent from Bangkok by airmail on May 8 and 9, according to the South China Morning Post.
Customs officials inspected the parcels and found cannabis buds in zip-lock bags that were placed inside the packages of snacks and breakfast cereals. The seized cannabis was worth at least HK$1.9 million, or 8.6 million baht.
According to Hong Kong customs officials, authorities from the narcotics investigation office disguised themselves as delivery workers and took the parcels to a place in Kwun Tong. A 64-year-old security guard connected to the seized packages was arrested and released on bail while an investigation is still underway.
Hong Kong customs officials also warned the public not to be lured into trafficking narcotic drugs. Drug trafficking in Hong Kong is an offence carrying a sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million. Hong Kong authorities confiscated more than 2,673kg of cannabis in 2022, an 105% increase from 2021.