Customs officers found about 6 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds concealed in the carry-on suitcase of a 43-year-old mainland man who arrived from Manila on 6 October 2026, and arrested him.[1][2] Investigators then arrested a 52-year-old mainland man who had arrived from Bangkok the same day and was suspected of being connected with the case.[1][2] Officers also found 88 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes in the second man’s carry-on baggage.[1][2] Customs estimated the buds’ market value at about HK$1.1 million.[1][2]

The two men were jointly charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, while the second man was additionally charged with possession of dutiable goods and failing to declare to Customs; the case was to go before West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on 8 October.[1][2] Trafficking carries a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment, and the cigarette offences carry up to a HK$2 million fine and seven years in prison.[1][2]