Hong Kong and Australian authorities arrest 2 over drugs smuggled in stone statues
- Authorities jointly crack down on syndicate, arresting boy, 17, in Perth and man, 37, in Hong Kong, over nearly 20kg of drugs, mostly Ice
Hong Kong and Australian authorities have jointly cracked down on an international drug trafficking syndicate that allegedly smuggled narcotics concealed in stone statues, confiscating nearly 20kg (44lbs) of illegal substances and arresting two local residents, including a 17-year-old boy.
The teenager was arrested in Perth by Australian authorities, while a 27-year-old man was detained in Hong Kong, according to the Customs and Excise Department.
Inspector Kwan Chun-yin of the city’s customs drug investigation bureau said on Wednesday that 12.5kg of suspected methamphetamine, also known as Ice, with an estimated street value of HK$6.8 million (US$870,000), was seized in Hong Kong.
He added that customs officers discovered a Tsim Sha Tsui office where statues containing the drugs were made before being smuggled to other countries.
During the Australian authorities’ arrest of the Hong Kong boy in Perth on June 25, they seized 6kg of cocaine and 1kg of crystal meth in his flat.
“We believe the drug trafficking syndicate arranged for [the boy] to fly to Australia to collect shipments and handle illegal drugs,” Kwan said.