Hong Kong customs has made its largest-ever drug seizure from a sea shipment, finding cannabis worth HK$125 million, or about 530 million baht, in a 40-foot container declared as arriving from Thailand.
The Customs and Excise Department said the container was examined at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound earlier this month after a risk assessment and intelligence analysis. It had been declared as carrying insulated boxes.
Officers found 1,342 insulated boxes, with 364 containing about 535kg of cannabis buds. The drugs were hidden in vacuum-packed bags inside the boxes.
Three arrests after container inspection
A 44-year-old Vietnamese man was arrested on the same day after arriving to collect the shipment, customs said. He has been charged with attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug.
Two Hong Kong men were also arrested but later released on bail while investigations continue. The Vietnamese suspect's case is due to be heard at Kowloon City Court on Monday 21 September 2026.
Under Hong Kong's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.
Bangkok arrivals held with cannabis in luggage
Customs also announced two separate arrests involving passengers who had arrived at Hong Kong airport from Bangkok.
In the first case, a 40-year-old mainland Chinese man was arrested after officers found about 1kg of suspected cannabis buds concealed in snack packaging inside his carry-on backpack.
In the second, two mainland Chinese men, aged 35 and 37, arrived from Bangkok. Customs said officers found 6kg of suspected cannabis, also hidden in snack packaging, in one man's carry-on luggage.
The combined cannabis seized in the airport cases was valued at about HK$1.4 million. Investigations are continuing.
Hong Kong customs data showed 2,875kg of marijuana was seized in the first eight months of 2026, a 27% increase from the 2,262kg taken during the same period in 2025. The figure also exceeded the 2,863kg seized throughout 2024.
Authorities handled 284 marijuana-related cases over the eight-month period and arrested 124 people, increases of 3% and 25% respectively from a year earlier.
Picture courtesy of South China Morning Post
Join the discussion? 
21 September 2026
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment