Three men were arrested after a police operation in Tai Po uncovered about 1.39kg of suspected etomidate, 560 suspected etomidate smoke cartridges, drug-making equipment and 10 suspected imitation firearms. Police valued the suspected drugs at about HK$3.6 million.
The operation began at about 7pm on September 17 after intelligence analysis and an investigation by the Sham Shui Po district special duties team. Officers stopped a 26-year-old British man, who holds a Hong Kong identity card, at a car park on San Wa On Lane and found about 512 grams of suspected etomidate powder on him, police said.
Police then searched a rented structure used by the man elsewhere in Tai Po. They said the search found a further 880 grams of suspected etomidate, the 560 smoke cartridges and suspected drug-making equipment, both inside and outside the structure. The 10 suspected imitation firearms were also seized.
The man and two local men, aged 29 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs, manufacturing dangerous drugs and possessing imitation firearms. All three were being detained for investigation.
Police said a person convicted of trafficking in dangerous drugs under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance can face a maximum fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment. The case was to be followed up by the second team of the Sham Shui Po district serious crime unit.