Man arrested for large cocaine haul

A South American man has been arrested for trying to smuggle HK$7.73 million worth of cocaine into Hong Kong by dissolving the drug in a liquid and soaking his clothes and suitcase with it.

The 49-year-old man was intercepted by customs officers when he arrived from Córdoba, Argentina on Monday afternoon.

A customs spokesman said on Tuesday that officers found his suitcase suspicious because it was wrapped in green plastic sheeting and gave off a strong, sour smell.

Some white powder was found on clothes in the suitcase. Further examination found dissolved cocaine in the interlining of three jackets and two plastic mats in his checked-in suitcase.

The drugs had a total weight of 6.6kg.

The arrested man will be charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear in Tsuen Wan Court on Wednesday.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, a drug trafficking conviction can lead to life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.