Man, 31, arrested over ‘space oil’ capsules after dad alerts Hong Kong police
Officers discover two electronic cigarette capsules containing drug in man’s home in Hung Hom
Hong Kong police have arrested a 31-year-old man for allegedly possessing the narcotic known as “space oil” after his father reported him to authorities.
“Police received a report from the arrested person’s father, stating that the arrested person had shortness of breath and slowed reactions, where he had suspected that the arrested person had consumed etomidate,” the force said on Saturday.
Etomidate is a key ingredient used to make “space oil”, which has rapidly become one of the most popular recreational drugs in the city and is commonly available in e-cigarette capsules.
According to the force, officers discovered two electronic cigarette capsules containing the drug in the man’s home in Hung Hom. The seized narcotics had a market value of about HK$400 (US$52).
Police said after an initial investigation, the 31-year-old surnamed Chan was arrested for suspected possession of dangerous drugs.
Authorities reclassified etomidate from a Part 1 poison to a dangerous drug in February, with the change taking effect immediately after it was gazetted.