Chinese national arriving in HK from Penang caught with 2kg of cocaine

 The 25-year-old suspect was detained on Thursday after checks on his baggage uncovered the drugs.

The Chinese national has been charged with drug distribution after customs officers caught him with 2kg of cocaine in his luggage at the Hong Kong International Airport. (EPA Images pic)

PETALING JAYA:

A 25-year-old from China was caught at the Hong Kong International Airport with 2kg of cocaine in his luggage after flying in from Penang.

The Hong Kong customs department said the suspect was detained on Thursday after checks on his baggage uncovered the drugs, Berita Harian reported.

He was later charged with drug distribution, with his case set for mention at the Kowloon West magistrates’ court today.

Under Hong Kong law, drug distribution carries a life imprisonment sentence and a HK$5 million fine (or RM2.6 million) upon conviction.

This is the latest case of drug busts overseas purportedly after passing through Malaysia.

The biggest case was reported in July after a Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia, after being found in possession of 25kg of ecstasy pills and 2.7g of methamphetamine.

A string of other cases involving Malaysians attempting to smuggle drugs followed, including five nabbed at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan, earlier this month trying to smuggle 1kg of cocaine hidden beneath the insoles of their shoes. - FMT