Three people attempting to smuggle 7 kg of cocaine from Maldives to Hong Kong were arrested in Hong Kong International Airport on Monday morning.
An article published by South China Morning Post reported that the three people arrested were all Hong Kong citizens. Among the arrested were two males, aged 21 and 23, along with a 21-year-old female.
Sixteen bags carrying the drugs were found during a luggage check, hidden in secret compartments of the men’s suitcases, according to Senior Inspector of Hong Kong's Narcotics Bureau, Chan Mei-shi. It is speculated that the 7 kg of cocaine seized has a street value of USD 1 million.
Hong Kong police believe that the men were hired by a drug trafficking syndicate and were responsible for bringing the haul into Hong Kong from the Maldives. Reports say that the smugglers were promised a free tour of the Maldives in return for smuggling the drugs.
The two men were charged with drug trafficking and the woman was charged with conspiracy to traffic drugs. They were charged on Tuesday afternoon, and are scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Hong Kong government has a strict policy against drug traffickers and any person who traffics in a dangerous drug can be fined up to HKD 5 million along with imprisonment for life.
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