Explosive substances, weapons seized as Hong Kong police arrest two men in Tuesday raid
- Seven 1.5kg bags of precursor chemicals capable of producing bombs were taken along with gunpowder-filled cartridges and home-made firearms
- Police said they had not ruled out the possibility the substances were intended for use on July 1, anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty
Hong Kong police arrested two men on Tuesday morning, seizing explosive substances and weapons during a raid of their homes spurred by their alleged online promise to kill “well-known figures” and cause “bloodshed” in police stations.
Police said they had not ruled out the possibility the substances were intended for making bombs that could be used on Thursday, the 24th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover from British to Chinese sovereignty.
The force said the unemployed 29-year-old and 32-year-old construction worker had been arrested at their flats in Lam Tin and Tai Po, but refused to go into details about the social media posts that prompted the raids.
Seven 1.5kg bags of a powder mixed with potassium nitrate, sulphur and a type of syrup were seized from the Lam Tin flat. Officers also seized 580 gunpowder-filled cartridges used in rebound hammers as well as sketches that showed how to make guns.
Senior bomb disposal officer Alick McWhirter said the precursor chemicals could be used in the manufacture of home-made explosives capable of causing serious damage.