Hong Kong police arrest alleged trafficker, 28, seize HK$18.5 million worth of ice, ketamine

Speaking to the press on Sunday, Chang Yuen-lam, inspector of Sham Shui Po district’s special duties squad called the flat a “drug packaging and distribution centre”, saying the bust had prevented the narcotics from entering the local market.

“Our investigation suggested the drug trafficking ring was renting high-end private residential flats to store and distribute the drugs, taking advantage of the low traffic and strong security to evade investigations from law enforcement officers,” said Chang.

“To prevent property from being exploited by outlaws, landlords should inquire about the background of tenants, including their occupation, source of income, and purpose of renting the flat, before leasing them out,” he added.

Chang said the drug den was about 450 square feet and had been in operation for eight to nine months.

He added that it was not uncommon for crime syndicates to rent private flats to handle drugs on short-term leases.

The case will be mentioned at West Kowloon Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning.

In Hong Kong, trafficking in dangerous drugs is punishable by a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment.