3 Hong Kong teenage boys arrested after customs discovers narcotics worth HK$3 million
- Customs inspector warns young people against joining drug trade and urges them to ignore promises of easy money
- Suspects in trafficking case comprise two brothers, aged 14 and 15, alongside classmate of younger sibling
Three Hong Kong teenagers have been arrested in connection with the seizure of narcotics worth HK$3 million (US$382,743), prompting a customs official to warn youths against involving themselves in the drug trade based on promises of easy money.
Two of the suspects were brothers, aged 14 and 15, while the third boy was a classmate of the younger sibling, the Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday.
Authorities launched an investigation after they discovered 1.5kg of heroin concealed in four kicking pads at the airport’s cargo terminal on January 22. The parcel had been declared as cosmetics airmailed from Thailand.
Plain-clothes customs officers on Tuesday carried out a sting operation at a logistics company office in Kwai Chung, where the two 14-year-olds turned up and the younger brother signed for the parcel.
The undercover officers followed the duo to a flat at a public housing estate in Sau Mau Ping where the two brothers lived.
Inspector Michael Shum of customs’ drug investigation bureau said the teenagers were arrested after officers discovered 3kg of suspected methamphetamine, also known as Ice, and packaging equipment in the flat.
The overall haul had an estimated street value of HK$3 million, he said. The inspector added that officers were investigating the source of the drugs and seeking to uncover the distribution network.
The three suspects were still being held for questioning as of Wednesday afternoon.
