Teenager arrested over HK$200,000 ‘space oil’ production in Hong Kong hotel

Hong Kong police have arrested a 16-year-old resident suspected of producing and trafficking a narcotic known as “space oil” worth HK$200,000 (US$25,743).

Operation details were revealed on Tuesday, a day after officers raided a suspected drug manufacturing premise inside a hotel room in North Point and arrested a Vietnamese national who holds a Hong Kong identity card.

Police seized 510 millilitres of etomidate, which was classified as a dangerous drug last month, 2.3 litres of glycerine and 466 e-cigarette capsules suspected of containing space oil.

“Investigations show that the suspect allegedly mixed etomidate with glycerine to produce space oil and then injected the mixture into e-cigarette capsules,” the force said.

“A preliminary estimate shows that the seized etomidate and glycerine can produce over 600 e-cigarette capsules with space oil. Along with the capsules containing suspected space oil at the scene, the estimated market value of the seized drugs is around HK$200,000.”

The force also found tools including measuring cups, pots, electronic scales, and some unused e-cigarette capsules.