Hong Kong taxi driver arrested after being found with HK$500,000 worth of suspected cocaine
Police looking into whether suspect, 42, had used taxi to deliver or sell drugs
Hong Kong police arrested a cabby and seized suspected cocaine worth HK$500,000 (US$63,700) along with HK$27,000 in cash after intercepting his taxi in a busy shopping district early on Tuesday.
Officers were looking into whether the Hongkonger, 42, had used his vehicle to deliver or sell the drugs.
The taxi was stopped on Bute Street near the junction with Shanghai Street in Mong Kok at about 12.30am on Tuesday, just 300 metres from Mong Kok Police Station.
“Inside the compartment, 15 packets carrying 397 grams of suspected cocaine were found along with HK$27,000 and a small amount of foreign currency,” a police spokesman said. The haul had an estimated street value of HK$500,000.
Cocaine worth HK$14 million found in noodle-making machines
Officers arrested the taxi driver on suspicion of trafficking in a dangerous drug. Investigators were looking into the source of the suspected contraband.
The suspect was being detained at Tsim Sha Tsui Police Station for questioning and had not been charged as of noon.
Separately, another suspected drug trafficker – a 52-year-old man – was arrested on Nathan Road, Mong Kok after officers found 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine, also known as Ice, on him. The contraband seized had an estimated street value of HK$7,800.
In Hong Kong, trafficking in a dangerous drug carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.
According to official statistics, local authorities seized 402kg of cocaine last year, down 14.6 per cent compared with the figure in 2016.
