Hong Kong police make first ‘space oil’ arrest using new rapid test kit

Hong Kong police have apprehended a man for allegedly possessing an e-cigarette capsule that tested positive for the newly emerging drug known as “space oil”, the first such arrest using the force’s rapid testing kit.

Police said on Sunday that officers intercepted the man, age 55, in Yau Ma Tei a day earlier and discovered the suspicious capsule in his possession. Saturday marked the first day the force started carrying the newly issued testing kit.

The kit was able to confirm the capsule contained traces of etomidate, an anaesthetic and common ingredient in space oil that poses risks to users’ physical and mental health, the force said.

The man was taken into custody on suspicion of possession of a Part 1 poison, which can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Police also stopped another man, age 31, in Hung Hom on Saturday after discovering four e-cigarette capsules suspected to contain etomidate. Officers did not use a testing kit in the second case.

The suspect was arrested on the same charge.

Last week, police announced they would use the test kits to help efficiently pinpoint individuals in possession of space oil.