Hong Kong customs made a record seizure of ketamine
and smashed a transnational syndicate in operations conducted at
Hong Kong International Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom on
Sunday and Monday.
According to a government press release on Tuesday,
a total of 87.5 kilograms of high-grade ketamine with an estimated
retail value of HK$30 million (US$3.84 million) was seized.
Four Singaporean and three Malaysian men, aged
between 43 and 50, were arrested. They will later be charged with
trafficking dangerous drugs.
The success of the operation is attributed to
intelligence exchange among Hong Kong Customs and Excise
Department, the anti-smuggling bureaus of Shenzhen and Guangzhou
customs, and cooperation of the Central Narcotics Bureau of
Singapore, Royal Malaysian Police and Indian Customs, said the
press release.
Timothy Tong, Hong Kong’s commissioner for customs
and excise, commended the officers involved for their competence
and professionalism in cracking the case.
He said, "Conducting vigorous law enforcement
actions and maintaining intensive and frequent intelligence
exchange with other jurisdictions, we will ensure that Hong Kong
will not become a transit point for illicit drugs."?
Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that has been
used for both humans and animals. It can change people’s
perceptions and cause hallucinations, and carries serious risks,
especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.
(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2005)