Police arrest 61 people and seize over HK$38m worth of drugs

Police announced on Friday that they had detected 43 drug cases, seeing 50 men and 11 women aged 14 to 59 arrested as well as the seizure of about 128 kilograms of various drugs.

Having launched Anti-Cannabis Month this month, police districts across Hong Kong collaborated to combat drug activities.

An in-depth investigation was launched by the collaboration, revealing that drug trafficking syndicates have been peddling cannabis across several online platforms such as Telegram through adverts that beautified its use and distributing it to unlicensed bars. 

Between April 17 and 21, the police launched an arrest operation that busted two drug trafficking syndicates located in Tuen Mun and Fanling storage warehouses, along with an unlicensed bar in Mong Kok, seizing more than HK$1.6 million worth of suspected cannabis buds, cannabis oil, cannabis chocolate, etc.

Eleven local men and women aged 19 to 57 years old were arrested, including the mastermind and key members of the syndicates. Their social media account has now been shut down.

Throughout the operation, eight cases involving 17 arrestees were related to the online sale of cannabis products.

A total of 43 drug cases were detected, 50 men and 11 women aged 14 to 59 were arrested, and about 128 kilograms of various drugs were seized, including cannabis, cocaine, narcotic mushrooms and drug stamps, accumulating to a total value of HK$38.3 million.

A police spokesman stated that the police have noticed drug trafficking groups have been importing large amounts of cannabis oil from overseas, including Southeast Asia and North America, for processing to mix it with chocolate, candy and cookies, with the intention of selling it on social platforms.

At first glance, it looks like normal food, which increases the chance of children being exposed to the products.

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