Sunday, September 18, 2011

Hong Kong Police Reported Record Cocaine Bust Worth $600 Million

Cocaine was displayed during a press conference.

Eight suspects arrested in connection with major drug bust.

By H. Nelson Goodson
September 18, 2011

Hong Kong - On Sunday, the Hong Kong Police Narcotics Bureau reported the largest cocaine bust in history for the police force. Police confiscated 567 kilograms (1,250 pounds) or a ton of cocaine in the city worth $600 million Hong Kong Dollars ($76.9 million U.S.) in street value.
Eight suspects were taken into custody, including an American, a woman from Colombia with Hong Kong residency and 5 Mexican nationals, according to a police news release.
On September 16, police acting on a tip detained four men and two women ranging from ages 24 to 40 and recovered 50 kilograms from their possession in Fuk Hang Tsuen. Police on Saturday arrested a 49-year-old woman and a 55-year-old man in Yuen Long in connection with the case.
Police also raided four homes in vicinities of Cheung Sha Wan, Kwai Chung, Mong Kok and Cheung Sha Wan and seized another 50 kilograms. In Mong Kok, police found $50,000 U.S. in cash.
On Sunday police went to a recycling warehouse and discovered another 467 kilograms of cocaine and packaging equipment. The warehouse is supected of being a center for cocaine storage and distribution in the Hong Kong area.
The criminal complaint stated, the cocaine was compressed into bricks, hidden in motor oil and brake fluid containers and covered with pastic recycling refuse. The cocaine operation used waste material to smuggle the drug into Hong Kong. The increase of local business for exporting and importing waste and recycling material made it difficult to detect the smuggling of drugs, according to officials.
Last April, police while investigating a missing man report went to a rural Fanling house and discovered 372 kilograms of cocaine in 26 boxes hidden in the roof. The missing man went to the home to settle a debt, but hasn't been seen, according to family members who reported him missing. The man is still missing, police suspect foul play.
Hong Kong Police charged Pang Yuet-wan, 52, and seven other men with the Fanling cocaine seizure worth $42 million U.S.

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