Police uncover illegal abortion network among domestic helpers

Authorities have arrested 11 foreign domestic helpers in connection with an illegal abortion drug ring after a 39-year-old helper was found to have delivered a stillborn fetus in her employer's home.

The case came to light on June 2 when emergency services responded to a report of an unconscious domestic helper bleeding heavily at a residence in Tin Shui Wai.

Paramedics discovered a 35-centimeter stillborn fetus in a laundry basket near the woman's bed.

Police later found a positive pregnancy test and abortion drug packaging in the helper's room. 

Investigators determined she had purchased the medication from a contact in May. 

A forensic examination confirmed the fetus was at least 28 weeks old with no signs of live birth. 

The woman was arrested on suspicion of "child destruction," a charge applied to illegal abortions after 28 weeks of pregnancy.

The investigation led police to a 32-year-old fellow domestic helper suspected of supplying abortion drugs. 

On July 6, officers arrested her for "procuring drugs with intent to cause abortion" and "illegal possession of Part 1 poison," seizing suspected abortion drug packaging and 10 prescription pills at her workplace.

Further inquiries revealed the suspect had sold similar drugs to nine other domestic helpers aged 30 to 46 between April and May. Police made additional arrests between July 29 and August 8.

Authorities believe the 32-year-old smuggled the drugs into Hong Kong from another country, selling them for several hundred dollars each through word-of-mouth referrals.

Of the 11 women arrested, five have been charged, five released on bail, and one remains in custody.