Police Bust Tuen Mun Dual-Unit Drug Den
SingTao · 3 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong police said they dismantled a drug storage site and a drug-manufacturing workshop in Tuen Mun during an anti-narcotics operation codenamed “Defender” on August 22, arresting three local men aged 19 to 26. Officers said the case marked the first time they had detected traffickers allegedly dissolving ketamine into liquid, soaking clothing in it to evade checks, and then sending the items to a workshop for chemical extraction and restoration.
Key Points
- Narcotics Bureau officers intercepted three suspicious men near a village house in Fuk Hang Tsuen, Tuen Mun, on the evening of August 22.
- A search of a unit under their control uncovered about 14kg of suspected ketamine, about 2kg of suspected heroin, and 151 suspected etomidate vape cartridges.
- Further investigation led officers to a second nearby unit allegedly used as a drug-processing workshop, where strong chemical odours, tools, large plastic tubs, irritating liquid and soaked clothing were found.
- Police estimated about 40 litres of suspected liquid ketamine raw material at the workshop could be converted into roughly 6kg of ketamine.
- The three unemployed suspects were arrested on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs and manufacturing dangerous drugs, and were due to appear at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on August 25.
Why It Matters
Police said the syndicate allegedly used a “dual-unit” setup to separate the high-risk workshop from the storage site, while recruiting young men as expendable front-line operatives for renting units, packaging drugs, deliveries and later processing work. The force also urged landlords and residents to watch for unusual odours, suspicious tenancy arrangements and frequent visits by strangers in remote village properties