Hong Kong police arrest 74 in anti-triad operation, seize HK$1.6 million of drugs
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong police have arrested 74 people in an anti-triad operation and seized HK$1.6 million of drugs, including “space oil,” an addictive substance popular among local youth.
A total of 41 men and 33 women, aged 19 to 70, were arrested on suspicion of committing various offences, including running an unlawful gambling establishment, Senior Inspector Ng Ka-lun said at a press conference on Thursday.
During the operation, which ran from March 3 to Wednesday, the Hong Kong Island crime bureau raided five suspected vice establishments and six suspected illegal gambling premises.
“Police officers also detected seven drug-related cases in this operation… as well as multiple triad-related cases involving wounding and criminal damage,” Ng said in Cantonese.
They seized HK$1.6 million worth of drugs, including cocaine, ice, ketamine, cannabis, and e-cigarette capsules that contained space oil, the senior inspector said, adding that nine people among those arrested were suspected of trafficking dangerous drugs.
Last month, Hong Kong banned space oil – often inhaled through an e-cigarette – by adding its main component, an anaesthetic called etomidate, to the Dangerous Drug Ordinance.
Ng also said that some vice and illegal gambling premises were rented properties, warning that landlords should be careful before renting out a place.
“[Landlords] could also look out for abnormal signs after leasing the place, such as whether there were obscene ads and loiterers,” he added.
See also: As Hong Kong bans ‘space oil’ drug, social workers urge care for teen mental health
Last year, the total number of drug users recorded last year fell by 9 per cent to around 5,000, according to official figures. But the number of drug users aged under 21 rose by 8 per cent, reaching 720.
Among those aged under 21, almost one-third had used space oil.
Social workers say space oil has risen in popularity among the city’s youth and is more affordable, convenient, and palatable than other drugs.
Under the Dangerous Drug Ordinance, trafficking a dangerous drug could be sentenced to life behind bars, whereas the possession and consumption of such a drug carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.
Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact Us | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps
Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-title {
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .entry-meta {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
align-items: center;
margin-top: 0.5em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .entry-meta {
font-size: 0.8em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles article .avatar {
height: 25px;
width: 25px;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail{
margin: 0;
margin-bottom: 0.25em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail img {
height: auto;
width: 100%;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles .post-thumbnail figcaption {
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
}
.wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles p {
margin: 0.5em 0;
}
HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.
Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.