13-year-old among suspects caught in anti-crime operation in West Kowloon, with haul of narcotics including cannabis, LSD, cocaine and ‘space oil’
Hong Kong police have arrested 34 people, including a 13-year-old, and seized HK$170,000 (US$21,900) worth of narcotics such as suspected cannabis chocolates and confectionery, LSD, cocaine, amphetamines and “space oil” in an operation over the Easter holiday.
Police said on Monday that four of the arrestees were also involved in separate cases of “furious driving” and three illegally modified vehicles were confiscated.
The force set up roadblocks in various areas within western Kowloon to intercept suspicious vehicles, and also inspected multiple bars and nightclubs from Saturday night to early Sunday morning, according to Superintendent Yu Yuen-yan.
She said officers arrested 22 men and 12 women, aged 13 to 71.
“They were suspected of trafficking and possessing dangerous drugs, furious driving and possessing prohibited weapons,” Yu said.
During the operation, police seized 38 cans of suspected cannabis chocolate, 47 vape cartridges containing suspected cannabis oil, 113 grams (4 ounces) of suspected cannabis, 28.8 grams of suspected cannabis, five grams of suspected cannabis flower, five grams of cocaine and 21 grams of methamphetamine.
Nineteen vape capsules containing space oil or etomidate, as well as 345 pieces of LSD stamps – strips containing lysergic acid diethylamide – weighing about 8.1 grams, were also confiscated.
Senior Inspector Cheng Ho-ming from Kowloon West traffic unit said seven men and two women, aged 16 to 40, were arrested during interceptions at the roadblocks, one of whom was wanted for breaching his court bail for a theft offence.
“One of the arrested individuals was a 16-year-old girl suspected of possessing an electronic cigarette containing suspected etomidate, also known as space oil,” he said.
“Police are highly concerned about youth drug abuse and will intensify law enforcement efforts to combat drug-related crimes.”
Illegal possession or consumption of the listed chemicals is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a maximum fine of HK$1 million. Those caught trafficking them can face up to life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine.
Senior Inspector Kevin Tsu Ping-hei of Yau Tsim district said one of the cases in the operation involved a furious driving incident on Sunday at 5am, after police set up a roadblock at the junction of Chatham Road South and Austin Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.
