Hong Kong customs arrests 4, seizes HK$140 million of smuggled illicit medicines

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Matthew ChengFebruary 16, 2026 at 11:53 AM

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Hong Kong customs arrested four individuals, two mainland Chinese men and two local women, for smuggling HK$140 million worth of illicit medicines. The seized goods included slimming and cosmetic injections, as well as erectile dysfunction pills. The arrests followed increased enforcement efforts that began in January, which uncovered 100,000 injections, 340,000 tablets, and 60kg of controlled medicines across nine smuggling cases. Authorities noted that the injectable products are in high demand due to lower overseas costs, but warned that improper storage during transport, without refrigeration, raised concerns about the quality and safety of the seized medicines. Investigations are ongoing, and further arrests are possible.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Mainland China 50% Anthony Tang Cheuk-wai ×260% Customs and Excise Department 70% Hong Kong ×290%

Keywords

smuggled illicit medicines 100% hong kong customs 80% seizure 70% slimming injections 70% erectile dysfunction pills 60% cosmetic injections 60% medicine storage 50% controlled medicines 50% quality and safety 40%