Second Chinese national arrested in Hong Kong over suspected drug smuggling from Penang

A Chinese national was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport today after customs officers allegedly found 2.2kg of suspected cocaine in his cabin baggage. — iStock pic

First Published: Monday, 26 Oct 2026 10:05 AM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — A Chinese national was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport today after customs officers allegedly found 2.2kg of suspected cocaine in his cabin baggage.

As reported by Berita Harian (BH), the arrest is the second drug smuggling case linked to a flight from Penang to Hong Kong in recent days, following the detention of a 25-year-old Chinese man on Thursday.

In a statement yesterday, Hong Kong Customs said the seized drugs had an estimated market value of HK$1.3 million (about RM700,000).

The 39-year-old suspect had arrived in Hong Kong from Penang when he was stopped for a customs inspection at the airport.

“Examination of his carry-on baggage revealed a quantity of suspected cocaine, leading to his arrest,” the statement said.

The man has since been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and is expected to appear before the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts today.

Hong Kong Customs said it would continue stepping up efforts to combat drug trafficking through intelligence-sharing, risk-based enforcement operations and surveillance.

The department said it would also focus on checking passengers arriving from high-risk locations as part of efforts to curb cross-border drug trafficking.

Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug carries a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment upon conviction.