January 4, 2006
Crime
Duo arrested in record ketamine haul
Police in Sai Kung have arrested two men and seized a record haul of more than 151kg of suspected ketamine, with a retail value of over $37 million.
The pair, charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, will appear in Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
The Narcotics Bureau launched an investigation in December last year against a ketamine-trafficking syndicate active in Hong Kong. A drug storehouse in Ho Chung New Village in Sai Kung and two key syndicate members, men aged 44 and 38, were identified.
Officers feared the pair might dispatch drug samples to retail-level traffickers after the New Year holiday, so they stopped the 44-year-old man after he left the storehouse shortly after 5.50pm yesterday. They found 28 grams of suspected ketamine on him.
Police also arrested the younger man inside and seized 38 packages of suspected ketamine weighing a total of 151kg, an electronic scale, a vacuum-packing machine and lots of empty tinfoil packages.
The two are being detained for enquiries while the source of the drug under investigation. Police believe a portion of the haul was for local distribution to public entertainment premises.
The seizure has dealt the syndicate a severe blow, Police say. Investigations continue.
