For my baby boy’s sake

My parents divorced when I was three years old, and I lived with my father, grandmother and my two brothers, who are about ten years older than me. My father worked diligently each day to provide for us, often leaving early in the morning and returning late at night. Consequently, the responsibility of my care fell on my grandmother with the help of my brothers.

I should have been grateful that I had three meals a day and a roof over my head. Why should I expect my father and grandmother to pay attention to my emotional needs?

I only reached elementary school level of education as my family couldn’t provide a suitable environment for my learning. Everyone only focused on making ends meet. To ease the financial strain on our family, I desired to start working early. This led to a loss of interest in studying, as I perceived earning money to be more valuable.

Continue reading For my baby boy’s sake

How can I stitch back my life?

I am a mother of two boys. I had a lovely family, my sons’ upbringing has been one rooted in love, care, and strong family values. 

During my own childhood, I was fortunate to grow up in a supportive environment with both my mother and father.

As the eldest child in a working-class family on the Mainland, I faced challenges early on. At the age of fifteen, I moved to Guangdong to work in a handbag factory. I worked diligently to support my family. When I was seventeen, I was raped by the boss. As a young and inexperienced girl, I found myself unsure of what to do next. Eventually, I made the decision to leave the factory and seek assistance from my paternal uncle, who unfortunately struggled with drug addiction.

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Hong Kong Customs detects drug-trafficking case by sea worth about $140 million

Hong Kong Customs on October 25 detected a large-scale seaborne drug-trafficking case, and seized about 484 kilograms of assorted drugs with an estimated market value of about HK$140 million at the Tsing Yi Customs Cargo Examination Compound. A 23-year-old man suspected to be connected with the case was arrested.

Continue reading Hong Kong Customs detects drug-trafficking case by sea worth about $140 million

Woman arrested for hiding HK$770,000 worth of cocaine in body

A 55-year-old woman was arrested at the airport on Friday as customs detected a drug trafficking case and seized about HK$2.2 million worth of cocaine weighing 2 kg.

A 30-year-old woman who arrived in Hong Kong from the Democratic Republic of the Congo was arrested after she was found to have cocaine concealed in her body by Customs.

The woman was intercepted during customs clearance at Hong Kong International Airport after she flew to the city from the Democratic Republic of the Congo via Ethiopia last Friday (Oct 27).

Continue reading Woman arrested for hiding HK$770,000 worth of cocaine in body

Woman arrested for smuggling in HK$600k worth of drugs within body

Customs announced on Friday that they busted a drug trafficking case on October 25 (Wed) and seized about 570 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about HK$600,000.

A 53-year-old female passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bogata, Colombia, via Paris, France, on Wednesday (Oct 25).

During customs clearance, customs officers found her suspicious and suspected that she may have had drugs concealed inside her body. She was escorted to the hospital for an examination.

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Woman to stand in court for allegedly trafficking HK$1.4m worth of cocaine in her body

A 33-year-old woman will appear at the West Kowloon Court tomorrow (Wed) after she was arrested at the airport for trafficking in HK$1.4 million worth of cocaine inside her body.

Customs said the woman arrived in Hong Kong on Sunday from Johannesburg, South Africa, via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“During customs clearance, officers found her to be suspicious and suspected that she had dangerous drugs concealed inside her body cavity. She was then escorted to the hospital for examination,” customs said.

Continue reading Woman to stand in court for allegedly trafficking HK$1.4m worth of cocaine in her body

Man arriving from Brazil arrested after customs seize HK$3.2m worth of cocaine

A 59-year-old man arriving from Brazil has been arrested after customs seized about 3 kg of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of HK$3.2 million at the airport.

Customs said the man arrived in Hong Kong from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, via Sao Paulo, Brazil and Doha, Qatar on Thursday.

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Man arrested for smuggling HK$12m worth of cocaine within electric wheelchair

Hong Kong saw its first case of drug smuggling via electric wheelchair as customs officers arrested one man.

Customs stated on Sunday that they were doing baggage clearance at the Hong Kong International Airport for a man who came from Sint Maarten via Paris on Saturday (Oct 14), with one of his two luggage items being an electric wheelchair.

When the wheelchair passed the x-ray examination, there was something suspicious about the image, and upon further inspection, it was found to be concealing suspected cocaine within the layers.

Continue reading Man arrested for smuggling HK$12m worth of cocaine within electric wheelchair

Woman arriving from Namibia arrested at airport for trafficking HK$2.2m worth of cocaine

A 55-year-old woman was arrested at the airport on Friday as customs detected a drug trafficking case and seized about HK$2.2 million worth of cocaine weighing 2 kg.

The woman arrived in Hong Kong from Windhoek, Namibia, via Addis Ababa of Ethiopia and Dubai of the United Arab Emirates yesterday (Fri), customs said.

Continue reading Woman arriving from Namibia arrested at airport for trafficking HK$2.2m worth of cocaine

Whatever my future holds

I am grateful to the Lord for comforting me in challenging situations.

I was extremely worried when my boyfriend didn’t come to see me. He is the man I love, and I know his temperament very well. When he can’t win an argument he becomes irritable, and I’m afraid my situation will affect him. Fortunately he has had support throughout this difficult time, and that brings me much relief.

I have now pleaded guilty, and I hope that the people who threatened me will release their grip and not harm my boyfriend and our children. Even now, I am still very distressed. I don’t know the extent of the harm these people can cause to my loved ones, and I don’t know if they are safe. I still feel lost and helpless. I dare not express my thoughts to anyone, including to my boyfriend. All I can do is pray and hope that the Lord’s presence will keep them healthy and safe.

Continue reading Whatever my future holds

Reflections in the stillness of the night

I was arrested for drug trafficking when I was 19 and will turn 21 on September 1st. One day after my birthday, I will be transferred to another detention center to continue my sentence. On October 6th 2023, I will be sentenced in the district court.

While in custody, I have had many conversations with spiritual counselors and received love and support from my family. I have come to realize and admit my mistakes. I pray to God, asking for forgiveness for my sins. During this time, I have promised myself that once I complete my sentence, I will be a good son to my family and make positive contributions to society.

I want to share my experience as a warning to young people who are still struggling in society. I hope they don’t choose a life of crime like I did.

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How drugs destroyed my body and soul

I have been arrested for drug trafficking and drug possession. I am 35 years old and have been using drugs since I was 15. I was introduced to drugs by my boyfriend at that time. We primarily consumed drugs at discos. I was influenced by my boyfriend and other friends, and I got involved out of curiosity, a desire for excitement, and peer pressure. At that time, I thought drugs were fashionable.

I lived with my parents and my older sister. After finishing secondary school, I lived a carefree lifestyle. At 19, I committed my first drug possession offence and received a two-week probation sentence. This incident led my mother to monitor me closely. Unfortunately, I then committed another drug possession offense, which resulted in my sentencing to a drug rehabilitation center.

During my time in the rehabilitation centre, I met more drug addicts like myself. Over the years, I was in and out of the rehabilitation centre several times. Initially, I consumed ketamine, but my health deteriorated and I suffered greatly from its side effects. I didn’t want to continue living like that.

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Man arrested at Hong Kong airport with HK$2.1m of cocaine

A man was arrested after Customs seized about 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine worth HK$2.1 million at Hong Kong International Airport.

Customs announced on Sunday that officers found the batch of suspected cocaine concealed inside the interlinings of three book covers in a rucksack last Friday (Aug 11) during customs clearance.

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From remitting to on remand

After the 2019 social unrest and gradual calmness following the extradition bill controversy in Hong Kong, my friend and I opened a currency exchange store around November of the same year. Our main business was currency exchange and remittance services. However, due to the time required for the customs financial license application, we were unable to start operating the business just yet. We had already paid $24,000 for store handover fees, $36,000 for a one-time deposit, and monthly rent of $18,000. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in about six months.

As one wave subsided, another one rose in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic spread and the government implemented work-from-home measures for its departments. The approval for the customs financial license was further delayed, and we became very anxious.

With only expenses and no income, I looked for a way to raise some quick capital. I got introduced to a drug dealer through a former colleague. Continue reading From remitting to on remand

Momentary greed, long-term consequences

I hope that my story can prevent others from experiencing the loss of freedom due to momentary greed, just like I did. Here is my story:

At the age of 18, I was sentenced to nine months in prison for drug trafficking. Fortunately, I had the support of my family and girlfriend during that time. Although I lacked freedom, my life was less harsh than many others in prison. After my release, I made a conscious effort to stay grounded and avoid further disappointing or hurting my loved ones.

In 2018, I ran into my former inmate friend *Nigel at a bar while attending a friend’s gathering. He had taken care of me in prison, so we exchanged phone numbers and planned to hang out again. He frequently invited me out for drinks and would even pay for my friends. After a few sessions, I asked him how he could afford to hang out so often without a job and still have so much money to spend. He admitted to me that he was selling drugs.

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