HONG KONG: The Hong Kong Customs has expressed concerns over increase in use of young people to smuggle illegal drugs over the border into the city.
Calvin Chan Ching-yuen, head of customs’ drug investigation group’, said that there was a disturbing increase in the number of arrests of young drug peddlers at border checkpoints in last few months.
“Drug peddlers believe teenagers will not draw the suspicion of our frontline officers” he said adding that it is understood youngsters are paid as little as HK$4,000 to smuggle drugs.
He said officers will improve intelligence collection and conduct more raids to stop drug traffickers taking advantage of the busy passenger flow across the border.
Director of Crime and Security Lo Mung-hung said bureau has been trying to combat drug trafficking and money laundering activities during the past six decades.
Customs assistant commissioner said the force had adopted a multi-agency and community-based approach to promote anti-drug messages among young people, to increase public caution against youth drug abuse.
