US man held in HK hotel over $18m cocaine, ecstasy haul

A 49-year-old US man was arrested on Sunday (Jan 11) after police seized 24kg of suspected cocaine and about 5,000 ecstasy pills worth an estimated HK$18 million from a Tai Kok Tsui hotel.

According to authorities, officers raided a room at a hotel on Anchor Street in the afternoon, finding the drugs in the man’s backpack and luggage.

The man entered Hong Kong in mid-December 2025 as a tourist and was allowed to stay until mid-March. Police said he had been recruited by a drug syndicate to act as a warehouse keeper and courier after allegedly owing US$15,000 (HK$116,921) in debt. He was arrested before receiving any payment.

Officials said the operation prevented the drugs from reaching the local market and dealt a serious blow to the trafficking network. They warned the public against participating in drug crimes, stressing the harm it brings to families.

The man remains in police custody and is expected to appear at West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday (Jan 13) on a charge of trafficking dangerous drugs.

Under Hong Kong law, a conviction carries a maximum fine of HK$5 million and life imprisonment.