Debrief: Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee (centre) inspects the record drug haul.

Customs officers have smashed a trans-national drug trafficking syndicate, arresting four men and making a record seizure of 62,700 MDMA tablets worth $11 million.

Commissioner of Customs & Excise Timothy Tong today said the operation saw co-operation from overseas authorities, including Belgium, the UK and Switzerland.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee and Mr Tong commended Hong Kong's officers for making the seizure. After intensive probe based on intelligence exchange into a suspicious express parcel shipment from Belgium, Customs officers mounted a controlled delivery operation yesterday. The drugs were concealed in seven aquarium purifiers.

Officers arrested two men, aged 30 and 34, in Western District at 8.30pm, and another two, 23 and 26, in Kwun Tong an hour later.

Rising demand

Drug Investigation Bureau head Ben Leung said the syndicate smuggled the drugs to meet rising market demand during the festive season.

"Trans-national drug trafficking crimes transcend geographical boundaries and have become more sophisticated," he added.

"To strengthen the fight against narcotics trafficking, Customs will continue to work closely with other local and overseas enforcement agencies to crack down on dangerous drug trafficking activities."