Taxi driver, passenger arrested in Tseung Kwan O drug bust

Police arrested a taxi driver and a female passenger after finding suspected drugs during a stop-and-search operation in Tseung Kwan O in the early hours of Wednesday.

Officers from the East Kowloon Police Tactical Unit intercepted a suspicious taxi at Yee Ming Estate around midnight. When the driver noticed police and allegedly attempted to drive off, officers stopped the vehicle.

A search led to the discovery of a batch of suspected narcotics next to the female passenger. The haul included 91 etomidate e-cigarette cartridges – commonly known as "space oil" – and 89 small packets of suspected cocaine and methamphetamine.

The 44-year-old male driver and the 30-year-old female passenger were arrested on suspicion of trafficking dangerous drugs. The quantity of drugs is yet to be officially counted. A police dog searched the vehicle but found no other suspicious items.

Police said the pair had communication records but did not disclose their relationship when questioned. The taxi, which belongs to a fleet, was not operating with its meter on at the time.