Customs arrest Malaysian man suspected of drug trafficking

Updated at 4.30pm: Customs officers on Wednesday arrested a Malaysian man suspected of trafficking ketamine at Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok.

A spokesman said on Thursday customs officers seized 2.64 kilograms of ketamine worth about $620,000 from the man after he had arrived in Hong Kong

The ketamine was concealed in food packets, toothpaste tubes and containers of personal hygiene products belonging to the man, the spokesman said.

The 34-year-old was being detained on Thursday afternoon for further investigation. He would be charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, the spokesman said.

This was the second seizure of the drug at the airport this year following the record haul of 87.5kg of high-quality ketamine in March, he added.

Police are concerned about a rise in demand for designer drugs like ketamine and ecstasy in Hong Kong. In recent years, these drugs have become popular with young people at 'rave' parties and other gatherings in the territory.

Ketamine is a non-barbiturate, rapid-acting anaesthetic drug. It can induce a dissociative state in people who use it. Other side effects range from pleasure to paranoia and boredom.