Record seizure of ketamine

Police have seized 200 kilograms of suspected ketamine with a retail value of $60 million, a record seizure so far, and arrested a 47-year-old man during an operation in Cheung Sha Wan yesterday (February 21).

As a result of an intelligence-led operation, officers of the Narcotics Bureau (NB) have successfully identified a core member of a drug trafficking syndicate and its drug store located on Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan.

Realising that the syndicate was about to despatch a portion of the drugs, NB officers took action and laid ambush on the staircase of the target premises yesterday afternoon.

The 47-year-old man was intercepted soon after he left the drug store. Some 42 grams of suspected ketamine was found in his possession.

Subsequent search on the target premises led to a further seizure of 200 kilograms of suspected ketamine sealed in eight nylon bags stored in eight carton boxes. The man was thus arrested.

It is estimated that the haul can fetch $60 million in the retail market.

"This is a successful intelligence-led operation, which we believe has neutralized a Ketamine trafficking syndicate in Hong Kong. We will continue our investigation against drugs suppliers and their trafficking activities," a police spokesman said.

The man is still being detained by the NB for enquiries.


Add Police Report No. 8

Issued by PPRB

End/Wednesday, February 22, 2006