Hong Kong police have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of trafficking dangerous drugs after seizing crystal meth and ketamine worth an estimated HK$18.5 million (US$2.6 million) from a flat in Cheung Sha Wan.
The force said on Sunday officers had raided the high-end private flat on Lai Ying Street the previous morning, seizing 34kg of methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as crystal meth or Ice, 1kg of ketamine, electronic scales, and drug packaging tools.
Police laid a holding charge against the man surnamed Wong, who was in the high-end flat, with a count of trafficking in dangerous drugs.
Chang Yuen-lam, inspector of Sham Shui Po district’s special duties squad, called the flat a drug packaging and distribution centre, saying the bust had prevented the narcotics from entering the local market.
“Our investigation suggested the drug trafficking ring was renting high-end private residential flats to store and distribute the drugs, taking advantage of the low traffic and strong security to evade investigations from law enforcement officers,” Chang said.
“To prevent property from being exploited by outlaws, landlords should inquire about the background of tenants, including their occupation, source of income, and purpose of renting the flat, before leasing them out.”
Chang said the drug den was about 450 sq ft in size and had been in operation for eight to nine months.
He added that it was not uncommon for crime syndicates to rent private flats to handle drugs on short-term leases.
The case will be mentioned at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
In Hong Kong, trafficking in dangerous drugs is punishable by a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment.
