Hong Kong taxi driver, passenger arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after HK$2.5 million crystal meth stash found in vehicle
- Police stopped the car in the early hours of Friday at a roadblock in Mong Kok
- Between January and September, authorities seized 1,189kg of crystal meth, down 14.6 per cent from the same period last year
Hong Kong police arrested a taxi driver and his passenger on suspicion of drug trafficking at a roadblock after discovering HK$2.5 million (US$318,550) worth of crystal meth in the vehicle in the early hours of Friday.
The cab was stopped for inspection at the roadblock on Sai Yee Street, near the junction with Bute Street in Mong Kok at about 1am.
In the vehicle, officers found 4.3kg (9.5lbs) of suspected crystal meth, also known as Ice, a strong and highly addictive drug, in a bag. The seized narcotic had an estimated street value of HK$2.5 million.
A sniffer dog was deployed to search the taxi, but no further drug seizure was made.
The taxi driver, 55, and his passenger, a 22-year-old man, were detained on suspicion of trafficking in a dangerous drug – an offence punishable by up to life in prison and a HK$5 million fine.
Detectives from the Mong Kok criminal investigation unit are following up on the case.
Police stressed the force had “zero tolerance” for all drug activities and would continue stringent enforcement.
