Mong Kok taxi stop leads to drug trafficking arrest
HK01 · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police in Mong Kok arrested a male passenger on Friday afternoon after stopping a taxi near the junction of Argyle Street and Sai Yee Street and allegedly finding suspected drugs in his belongings. Reports said the haul included about 90 suspected etomidate vape cartridges, along with ketamine, cocaine and methamphetamine, though the exact count was still being verified. The West Kowloon Emergency Unit had stepped up attention on taxis after a recent rise in cases involving drug trafficking by cab. The arrest followed a similar case in Mong Kok on Thursday, when officers stopped another taxi and made three arrests.
Key Points
- The stop happened on Friday, 9 October, at about 1pm to 2pm near the Argyle Street and Sai Yee Street junction in Mong Kok.
- Officers said the male passenger appeared suspicious; a search of his backpack or personal belongings uncovered four types of suspected drugs.
- The suspected drugs included about 90 etomidate vape cartridges, plus suspected ketamine, cocaine and methamphetamine, with final quantities pending confirmation.
- Police arrested the man on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs, while the taxi driver remained at the scene to assist the investigation
- A sniffer dog was later called in to search the taxi, but no additional contraband was found inside the vehicle
Why It Matters
The case adds to police concern that taxis are being used as a convenient way to move drugs across urban districts, prompting closer scrutiny of cab journeys in Kowloon. For Hong Kong residents and drivers, the back-to-back Mong Kok cases suggest enforcement is intensifying and that routine street stops may become more common in areas linked to street-level drug distribution.