Hong Kong customs seizes HK$230 million worth of drugs hidden among avocado oil, health food and instant noodles
- Two of the three recent busts were the largest of their kind in 20 years, customs says
- ‘The methods used to smuggle in the drugs are very clever, but we have managed to figure out various indicators,’ one official says
Four men and one woman were arrested in connection with the three cases, which involved cocaine hidden in a shipment of health food, liquid methamphetamine concealed in a consignment of avocado oil and heroin stuffed in the seasoning packets of instant rice vermicelli.
Customs on Sunday said all three cases were linked to local triad activity, but they were still investigating whether the shipments were connected to each other.
“Because of the [Covid-19] pandemic, the amount of checks drug traffickers need to pass through have increased, so we often see them taking risks and trying to ship large amounts at once,” said Lee Kam-wing, head of customs’ drug investigation bureau. “The methods used to smuggle in the drugs are very clever, but we have managed to figure out various indicators to find these illegal shipments.”
The busts took place between July 12 and Saturday, but were only revealed on Sunday.
Tuesday’s seizure of 145kg (320 lbs) of liquid methamphetamine was the largest amount of the drug to be intercepted in an air shipment in 20 years. The haul was estimated to be worth about HK$80 million.
Lau Leung-chi, customs airport investigation divisional commander, said officers decided to check the shipment of avocado oil from Mexico as the country was a known drug exporter and the logistics company address listed on the waybill was different from its actual location.
Upon inspection, officers found 288 bottles containing about 500 grams of liquid methamphetamine each hidden among others containing actual avocado oil.