Police seize HK$7.2m of drugs, target syndicate recruiting using online gaming
Two of four arrested suspects recruited by syndicate through gaming platforms to help run drug packaging and distribution, force says
Hong Kong police have arrested four men and seized 9.5kg (20.9lbs) of suspected drugs worth about HK$7.2 million (US$918,850) in a case involving two mainland Chinese men allegedly recruited by a syndicate through online gaming platforms.
Police said on Saturday that the operation began on Thursday, when officers intercepted a suspicious 21-year-old man from the mainland who attempted to flee in Tsim Sha Tsui.
They escorted him to a nearby flat, where they seized 399 grams (14 ounces) of ketamine and 193 grams of crack cocaine. The man was subsequently arrested.
Further investigation led officers to identify a drug trafficking syndicate that was using a residential flat in Tsuen Wan as a packaging and distribution centre.
Police arrested a 19-year-old mainland man and seized 2.1 litres (4.44 US pints) of etomidate along with 780 grams of ketamine, methamphetamine and cocaine in the flat.
The investigation revealed that both mainland men had been lured through online gaming platforms and social media to help run drug packaging and distribution in Hong Kong.
Two local men were later arrested, and another 8.1kg of cocaine was seized from a flat in Sheung Shui rented by one of them.