Hong Kong police raid alleged drug-front Pokemon card shop, seize HK$10 million of meth
- Force arrests man, 28, after discovering 5kg of what appeared to be crystal meth among his belongings
Hong Kong police have raided a Pokemon card shop allegedly used as a front for storing drugs, arresting a man and seizing HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) of suspected crystal meth.
The force said on Tuesday that the 400 sq ft upstairs shop in Hung Hom had attracted Pokemon enthusiasts, including teenagers and children, who visited the store frequently and even took part in card games.
Inspector Liong Chun-hin of the narcotics bureau said investigations indicated that the seized drugs were not distributed or sold to any customers or those engaging in card games in the store. He also added that no teenagers or children were involved in the drug trafficking.
“But storing such a large quantity of the narcotics in a place where teenagers and children can visit is irresponsible and disgraceful behaviour that also heightens the possible risk of teenagers and children mistakenly encountering illegal drugs,” he said.
Following an extensive investigation, officers from the bureau intercepted a man, 28, for a stop and search outside the Hung Hom store on Monday.
Officers discovered 5kg of what appeared to be crystal meth, also known as Ice, among his belongings.
The man was taken back to the store, where officers discovered another 16kg of suspected crystal meth in a staff rest area.
