Injured Hong Kong delivery driver recovers HK$12 million in suspected rhodium powder after ambush by robbers
An injured delivery driver in Hong Kong managed to recover about HK$12 million (US$1.5 million) worth of suspected rhodium powder, the world’s most valuable metal, after he was ambushed by a gang of robbers in Sheung Shui on Tuesday.
Police said the 52-year-old man was transporting the valuable cargo when a white car parked along Tin Ping Road, outside the Woodland Crest residential estate, suddenly accelerated and collided with the delivery vehicle at around 5.30pm.
A gang of four masked men with knives and metallic pipes rushed out of the car and attacked the driver, before grabbing a backpack containing 10 containers holding 10kg (22lbs) of a powdered substance believed to be rhodium, they said.
The group abandoned their vehicle and left the scene on foot, with the delivery man pursuing them despite sustaining head injuries.
The robbers then discarded the stolen items during the pursuit.
The robbery was captured on a dash camera, which shows one of the robbers fleeing the scene with the items.
Paramedics arrived shortly after the incident and brought the delivery driver to North District Hospital for treatment.
The New Territories North regional crime unit is investigating the case.
Rhodium is a rare element from the platinum group that exhibits exceptional resistance to corrosion and has a melting point of 1,963 degrees Celsius (3,565 Fahrenheit), the highest among all metals.
It is commonly used as a catalytic converter in vehicles to reduce toxic emissions, as well as the production of high-end jewellery, laboratory equipment and electrical components.
The price of rhodium currently exceeds US$155,000 per kilogram, making it the most expensive metal in the world.
