A 29-year-old man has been arrested by Customs officers, suspected of being connected to a transnational drug syndicate recently shut down in the Philippines.

He was apprehended about 11.45pm yesterday at the Hong Kong & Macau Ferry Terminal as he was about to leave for Macau.

Officers seized five grams of ice, 1.6 grams of ketamine, 0.3 grams of cocaine and an ice tablet from him. They also seized $820,000 worth of US and Hong Kong banknotes, and a batch of bank passbooks, with total deposits of $11 million. He will be charged with possession of dangerous drugs.

With co-operation from international agencies, including the Hong Kong Customs & Excise Department, the US Drug Enforcement Administration and Macau authorities, Philippine authorities shut down the syndicate in Cebu, arresting 11 men and seizing $180 million worth of ice and its ingredient chemicals.

Assistant Commissioner of Customs & Excise William Chow said transnational drug trafficking was becoming more sophisticated.

"To strengthen the fight against narcotics trafficking activities, Customs will endeavour to enhance international co-operation and intelligence exchange," Mr Chow said.