Hong Kong customs officers arrested four airline passengers in a single day after allegedly discovering more than 33 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower in luggage arriving from Thailand. The seizures took place at Hong Kong International Airport and involved two Thai women, one Chinese man and one Hong Kong woman.
Get today's headlines by email 
The first case occurred on Wednesday 1 July 2026, when customs officers intercepted two Thai women, aged 22 and 29, who had travelled from Bangkok. Officers found about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower, with an estimated market value of HK$1.8 million, inside checked baggage belonging to the 29-year-old passenger. Both women were arrested.
The arrests follow a series of recent international cannabis trafficking cases linked to Thailand. Related reports have included the seizure of nearly 1.2 tonnes of cannabis in Poland and Germany, and Indonesian authorities announcing the seizure of 3.37 tonnes of cannabis flower allegedly imported from Thailand.
Customs officers also uncovered two further suspected drug smuggling cases at Hong Kong International Airport on the same day. Together, those cases resulted in the seizure of about 23 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower with an estimated market value of HK$4 million.
In the first of those cases, a 38-year-old Chinese man arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok after transiting through Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday morning, 3 July 2026. During customs clearance, officers found about 13 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower inside his checked luggage, leading to his arrest.
The second case involved a 33-year-old Hong Kong woman who arrived from Phuket on Friday afternoon, 3 July 2026. Customs officers allegedly discovered about 10 kilograms of suspected cannabis flower concealed in her checked baggage before arresting her. Investigations into both cases remain ongoing.
Hong Kong Customs said it would continue strengthening enforcement against cross-border drug trafficking through intelligence analysis and risk assessment. The department also urged members of the public not to take part in drug smuggling in exchange for financial rewards and warned travellers not to carry controlled items for other people or transport goods of unknown origin.
Amarin reported that the agency said it would continue targeting passengers arriving from high-risk locations as part of its efforts to combat international drug trafficking. Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence carrying a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction.
Join the discussion? 
Already a member? 
Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 5 July 2026