Police in Hong Kong have busted a drug ring, seizing HK$475 million (US$61 million) worth of cocaine in two private flats, while warning landlords to be vigilant of those rushing to rent due to the risk of such tenants using the property for drug storage and trafficking.
In a press conference on Monday, the force said it had confiscated 600kg (1,323lbs) and arrested two people, including a 27-year-old local man in Lok Ma Chau over the weekend.
It added the man, who claimed to be unemployed, had been slapped with dangerous drug trafficking charges.
His arrest came after officers found a Tuen Mun private residential estate flat was being used as a drug storage facility by a syndicate, following the discovery of 204kg of suspected cocaine worth around HK$175 million inside.
“We believe the storage facility had only been in use for around half a month,” said Senior Inspector Adam Tong Wai-kwok of the force’s narcotics bureau.
“[The suspect] was lured by drug trafficking groups with the promise of cash, and decided to take the risk of working with a criminal group.
“Under their instructions, he rented this unit and also took on the responsibilities of warehouse management and drug delivery.”
The force said the suspect had initially signed a two-year lease for the flat starting July 20.
The bust followed another similar operation in July, when the force’s Narcotics Bureau raided a Yuen Long private housing estate flat, and seized 386kg of suspected cocaine worth around HK$300 million – the biggest this year.
They also arrested a 20-year-old man in that incident.
Police said they believed the two drug storage facilities were operated by the same trafficking syndicate, and that criminals had quickly diverted the 204kg of the substance to the new Tuen Mun location to evade police following the July bust.
Tong added the force would continue to investigate the criminal syndicate, and did not rule out further operations and arrests.
“We would like to make an appeal to landlords … If you come across purported tenants who seem to be in a hurry to rent, or even say they must rent immediately after viewing, you may need to pay extra attention to their background and purpose of renting, to prevent your properties from being used by criminals,” said Chief Inspector Charm Yiu-kwong of the Narcotics Bureau.
He added the police would continue to closely monitor the city’s drug situation and take “decisive enforcement” action against all forms of trafficking activities, while also educating the public on the dangers of these substances.
Charm also reminded the public that drug trafficking was a serious crime with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of up to HK$5 million.
