Police seize HK$1 million etomidate in Yuen Long
On.cc · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Police said they dismantled a drug storage operation in Yuen Long and arrested a 24-year-old local man with triad background on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs during an August 6 anti-drug operation . He was intercepted outside an industrial building on Hi Yip Street while carrying a 28-inch suitcase, and officers later traced the case to a mini-storage unit where more suspected liquid etomidate and processing materials were found . The total seizure was about 16.6 litres, valued at roughly HK$1 million, in what authorities described as this year’s largest liquid etomidate case .
Key Points
- Investigators from Tseung Kwan O police district’s anti-triad unit acted on intelligence and stopped the suspect outside a Yuen Long industrial building on August 6 .
- Inside the 28-inch suitcase, officers found 12 sealed transparent bottles holding about 13 litres of suspected liquid etomidate .
- After the man said the drugs came from a mini-storage unit, police searched it and found seven more bottles totaling 3.6 litres .
- Officers also seized food flavouring and packaging tools, and believed the liquid etomidate would be further processed into vape cartridges for sale .
- The suspect remains in custody, will face one trafficking charge at Tuen Mun Magistrates’ Courts on August 8, and more arrests are possible .
Why It Matters
The case highlights police concern over the storage, processing and resale chain for liquid etomidate, especially its suspected conversion into vape products for distribution . It also underscores the legal risks after etomidate was added to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance on February 14, 2025, with trafficking carrying a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a HK$5 million fine .