Hong Kong police seize suspected cocaine worth HK$430 million, arrest 2

Hong Kong police have seized over 500kg (1,102lbs) of suspected cocaine worth more than HK$430 million (US$55.3 million) in a residential flat and arrested two men, both under the age of 25.

Tong Wai-kwok, senior inspector of the force’s narcotics bureau, said on Tuesday that officers had arrested the pair at a residential building in Tseung Kwan O on Sunday with suspected cocaine in a bag, before finding 259 packets more in a flat within the property.

“Drug traffickers spend much effort to disperse narcotics in legitimate goods and change locations frequently with deliveries to evade law enforcement,” Tong said.

The men, aged 22 and 23, were arrested for suspected drug trafficking. Both reported being jobless and were still in custody.

The seized drugs were believed to have been shipped from South America and hidden in cargo, according to the force.

The packets containing white powder weighed 518kg. Together with the 2kg of suspected cocaine found in one man’s bag, the narcotics were worth more than HK$430 million.

Tong said investigations revealed that the syndicate behind the two arrested men had also rented an industrial unit in Kwai Chung, where batches of suspected drugs mixed into legal goods would be delivered to the unit for repackaging.