Hong Kong Customs officers cracked three drug-trafficking cases at the Hong Kong International Airport in the past two weeks which worth about HK$1.9 million (about US$243,589) in total, said the Customs on Wednesday.

The cases involving cannabis buds, ketamine and cannabis resin trafficked into Hong Kong by means of air parcels or passengers.

Head of HK Customs Drug Investigation Bureau Ben Leung said the success in intercepting the dangerous drugs demonstrated that Hong Kong Customs officers had stepped up surveillance and inspection at all control points in light of the upcoming festive season.

"We believe law-breakers might attempt to take advantage of the busy inflows and outflows of passengers and cargoes to traffic in dangerous drugs," Leung said.

"However, Hong Kong Customs will continue to work closely with its overseas and Mainland counterparts on intelligence exchange to deter transnational drug-trafficking activities," he added.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offense. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million (about US$641,025).

(Xinhua News Agency December 21, 2006)