Two Hong Kong teens among three suspected triad members arrested in HK$2.6 million drug bust
Police also found weapons hidden in hut and two shipping containers in Hong Kong village, on top of 1kg of cannabis buds and 2kg of cocaine
Two schoolboys aged 13 and 14 were among three suspected triad members arrested in a drug bust with the seizure of HK$2.6 million worth of illegal drugs in a Yuen Long village, according to police.
The Form One students and a 35-year-old man, believed to be members of the Yuen Long faction of Wo Shing Wo triad, were picked up when anti-triad officers raided a tin-sheet hut in Nga Yiu Tau Tsuen off Tai Shu Ha Road East at about 7pm on Thursday.
Weapons including three knives were confiscated in the hut along with balaclavas and gloves.
“Inside the two containers[in the vicinity], police seized 1kg of cannabis buds and 2kg of cocaine. The haul has an estimated street value of HK$2.6 million,” Senior Inspector Wong Pak-ki of the Yuen Long police district said.
Police arrested the three suspects for drug trafficking and possession of offensive weapons.
“We are still investigating what roles the three suspects involved,” a police source said adding that officers were investigating the source of the illegal drugs and whether the consignment was for local consumption.
He said it was possible further arrests would be made.
The raids were mounted after police received information on the triad syndicate and investigated the gang several weeks ago.
It was understood the youngest boy had been arrested in connection with a minor criminal case previously.
Police said the three Hongkongers were likely to be released on bail as officers needed more time to gather evidence.
This case came about a month after a 15-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle HK$20 million worth of cocaine when he returned to the city from the mainland via the Shenzhen Bay immigration control point. Police also arrested two men aged 23 and 24 in connection with the case.
On June 28, a Hong Kong woman, 27, was arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle more than 8kg of cocaine into Taipei.
On June 5, another three Hongkongers, aged from 19 to 24, were picked up in Bangkok on suspicion of carrying 12.3kg of cocaine into Thailand from Brazil. The arrests were made at Suvarnabhumi Airport after Hong Kong police tipped off the local authorities.
Police have warned that drug dealers are increasingly seeking to lure local teenagers into the illegal trade by using quick cash and free entertainment and travel as bait.
According to official statistics, eight young persons, aged 15 or below, were arrested for drug trafficking in the first six months of this year. Some 31 people in the same age group were arrested for the same offence in the whole of last year.
Latest figures show 583kg of cannabis was seized across the city in the first six months of this year, more than double the amount of 255kg recorded for the whole of last year. Local authorities seized 180kg of cocaine and 114kg of crystal meth between January and June this year.
