Hong Kong police have arrested two officers for possession of crystal methamphetamine totalling 25.17kg, suspected to have been taken from drugs seized by police on April 28.
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, officers from the Mong Kok Special Duties Team raided a hotel room on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, where they arrested a 42-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman on drug trafficking charges.
There they found 7.6 grams of suspected ketamine, 37 grams of suspected cocaine, equipment for drugs and approximately HK$270,000 in cash.
During the raid, a 41-year-old off-duty officer of the Organized Crime and Triad Bureau of the Kowloon West Regional Police Headquarters carrying 2.17kg of suspected meth – known as “Ice” – reportedly entered the hotel room using a key and was apprehended. The officer has since been suspended.
The value of the drug haul that morning totalled an estimated HK$14 million, according to police.
Police confirmed earlier local media reports of the three arrests in a statement at 9.20 pm: “The force attaches great importance to ethics and integrity of officers, and will not condone anyone who breaches the law or police discipline code. We will investigate the relevant crimes fairly, justly and seriously with impartiality,” it read.
“The force is saddened by the arrest of an officer involved in a serious crime. The force will thoroughly review other cases that the officer was previously engaged in.”
Following investigation of the earlier drug bust, officers from the Narcotics Bureau searched a residential unit in Shek Kip Mei and seized 23kg of suspected “Ice.” A 37-year-old off-duty officer was arrested in the process.
All of the arrested people are currently being investigated in detention.
Both officers are being investigated under suspicion of sourcing the illicit drug from a record seizure of at least 296kg last month.
Under Hong Kong law, anyone who traffics – including selling or giving away – an illegal drug is liable upon conviction to a fine of HK$5 million and imprisonment for life.
Additional reporting: Rachel Wong
