10 arrested over smuggling of suspected cannabis buds at airport

The Customs and Excise Department seized more than 50 million dollars' worth of suspected cannabis buds and arrested 10 foreign nationals at the Hong Kong International Airport.

The operation uncovered around 240 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis buds.

This after authorities began performing random checks on bags belonging to Southeast Asian tourists.

The airport's X-ray machines subsequently revealed suspicious items in 16 pieces of luggage which turned out to be illegal substances.

Customs personnel arrested nine men and one woman aged between 18 and 57 at the airport.

All are foreign tourists of British, American, French and Thai nationality.

Authorities say drug syndicates are taking advantage of the summer holiday season to entice travellers to help them smuggle illegal substances.