Customs crackdown: Customs officers will increase inspections of cross-boundary coaches and passengers, and deploy drug-detector dogs, at all checkpoints over Easter.

The Customs & Excise Department will increase inspections of cross-boundary coaches and passengers, and deploy drug-detector dogs at all checkpoints over Easter.

At a press briefing today Customs Drug Investigation Bureau Head Ben Leung and Divisional Commander (Spur Line & Through Train) Ngan Hon-fat said the department will use advanced technology like ion scanners and X-ray checkers to reduce the chance of people using the huge passenger volume and cargo flow to smuggle drugs.

The department will keep close liaison with enforcement agencies through enhanced intelligence exchange to crack down on unlawful activities.

It has adopted target-oriented measures to hinder drug trafficking by young people who smuggle drugs across the boundary in folded banknotes, in luggage or packed on the body.

Mr Leung said 117 people were arrested for drug cases at land boundary checkpoints last year with 27 of them under 21. Up to February, 41 have been arrested this year. Of them 14 were under 21. Most smuggled ketamine, cocaine, and psychotropic substances like estazolam.

Warning youngsters they face serious consequences for drug trafficking, Mr Leung said an 18-year-old man was jailed 13 years and four months for smuggling in 999 grams of cocaine in 2005.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance the maximum penalty for trafficking is life imprisonment.