Hong Kong police have arrested a 22-year-old man for allegedly manufacturing ketamine for a syndicate inside an industrial building, seizing HK$960,000 (US$123,130) worth of the drug and raw materials.
The syndicate had installed surveillance cameras connected to the internet around the unit in Tsuen Wan and gave instructions on how to manage production, the force said on Sunday.
“The syndicate required this martyr to install multiple surveillance cameras in the 200 sq ft flat, monitoring his every move around the clock and teaching him step-by-step how to make drugs,” Senior Inspector Chan Wing-yu of the narcotics division said.
Officers raided the premises in the industrial building on Tai Chung Road on Friday, seizing 2kg (4.4lbs) of ketamine and 6kg of raw materials, worth a total of HK$960,000.
Drugmaking equipment such as an electronic scale, induction stove and mixer were also found. Chan said the drugs were confiscated before they go enter the market.
Police charged the man, who was emotional and uncooperative when being arrested, with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs, manufacturing dangerous drugs and obstructing a police officer.
He was scheduled to appear at West Kowloon Court on Monday.
The force said cases of crude drug manufacturing were rare in Hong Kong and it would continue to trace the source of the narcotics and other members of the syndicate.
Chan also called on the public, including property management companies, to report any strange chemical odours emanating from units they owned as substances used for manufacturing drugs could pose a fire safety hazard and health risk to humans if inhaled.
Trafficking and manufacturing drugs carries a maximum penalty of life in jail and a HK$5 million fine.
