First homemade "space oil" discovered after Hong Kong’s drug ban

The first illicit laboratory manufacturing "space oil" was discovered by police in the city following Hong Kong's ban on etomidate and three similar substances enacted on February 14.

The police targeted a 70-square-foot partitioned unit in an industrial building in Fo Tan, arresting a 26-year-old unemployed man named Lam, who is suspected of producing and trafficking dangerous drugs.

Lam is set to appear at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday. 

During the raid, officers seized about 1.6 liters of liquid etomidate, 308 suspected space oil vape cartridges, 33 liters of flavored glycerin, and various drug manufacturing equipment capable of producing around 1,600 vape cartridges valued at about HK$800,000.

Senior Superintendent Chan Kong-ming of the Narcotics Bureau said on Tuesday that the operation disrupted a homemade space oil production center that had been in operation for about a month. 

"This operation has managed to disrupt one of these underground space oil drug labs and prevent these drugs from hitting the streets," Chan said. 

He also said that the police will investigate the source of the seized etomidate and equipment to target drug suppliers at their root.

As of Friday, the SAR has classified etomidate under the first schedule of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, imposing severe penalties for illicit trafficking or manufacturing, including a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.

(Ayra Wang)