Major drug bust: Two arrested in Tseung Kwan O after HK$430 million cocaine seizure

Two men were arrested after police raided a Tseung Kwan O residential flat and seized HK$430 million worth of cocaine. 

The 520 kilograms of cocaine were smuggled into Hong Kong from South America, concealed within frozen orange juice products, according to the Narcotics Bureau on Tuesday.

The suspects, aged 22 and 23, are currently in custody on charges of trafficking dangerous drugs and are scheduled to appear in Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts on Wednesday.

Detectives first intercepted the two local men at a private residential building in Tseung Kwan O on Monday, where a bag containing 2 kilograms of suspected cocaine was found on one of them. 

The pair was then escorted back to the unit, leading to the discovery of 259 packs of cocaine weighing a total of 518 kilograms.

Further investigations revealed that the drugs were illegally imported from South America into Hong Kong via a legitimate logistics company. 

Chief Inspector Tong Wai-kwok said at a press conference that the drugs were hidden in about 1,500 boxes of frozen orange juice and were divided into smaller packages in a unit located in a Kwai Chung industrial building. 

The smaller bags were then transported to the Tseung Kwan O unit for distribution.

Chief Superintendent Ng Kwok-cheung expressed concerns about the suspects, who claimed to be unemployed, suggesting they may have committed the crime for quick cash. 

He also cautioned landlords to be vigilant about tenants who rush to rent a unit or offer to pay exorbitant rents.

(Jamie Liu)