Asylum seekers in Hong Kong used by syndicate for drug supply, police say after arrest of 2
- Force reveals syndicate’s alleged activities after arrest of two and seizure of HK$600,000 in drugs from subdivided flat in Yau Ma Tei
- Suspects said to be a couple, a 44-year-man and 36-year old woman, and holders of recognisance forms
A Hong Kong drug trafficking syndicate recruited asylum seekers to supply drugs in Kowloon’s entertainment venues in a bid to evade detection, police said on Thursday after the arrest of a couple and seizure of HK$600,000 (US$76,860) in illegal substances.
Inspector Ng Ka-wai of the Yau Tsim district special duties squad said the racket hired holders of recognisance forms because they “don’t have permanent residency or strong connections in Hong Kong, making it more difficult for police to gather information”.
People who make a non-refoulement claim in Hong Kong are issued with a recognisance form, a temporary identification document from the Immigration Department that allows holders to remain in the city but not to work.
Ng said the syndicate involved also concealed drugs in tea bags and pet food packages then sold them on to to frontline couriers for supply in entertainment venues.
Officers intercepted a 44-year-old man for a stop-and-search outside a subdivided flat on Parkes Street in Yau Ma Tei on Tuesday.
Police arrested the man after 14 tea bags containing 80 grams (3 ounces) of suspected cannabis buds were found on him.