Hong Kong police arrest four, seize HK$7.2 million in drugs linked to online gaming recruitment

Hong Kong police have arrested four men and seized 9.5kg of suspected drugs worth about HK$7.2 million (US$918,850) in a case involving two mainland Chinese men allegedly recruited by a syndicate through online gaming platforms.

Police said on Saturday that the operation began on Thursday, when officers intercepted a suspicious 21-year-old man from the mainland who attempted to flee in Tsim Sha Tsui. They escorted him to a nearby flat, where they seized 399 grams (14 ounces) of ketamine and 193 grams of crack cocaine. The man was subsequently arrested.

Further investigation led officers to identify a drug trafficking syndicate that was using a residential flat in Tsuen Wan as a packaging and distribution centre.

Police arrested a 19-year-old mainland man and seized 2.1 litres of etomidate along with 780 grams of ketamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the flat.

The investigation revealed that both mainland men had been lured through online gaming platforms and social media to help run drug packaging and distribution in Hong Kong.

Two local men were later arrested, and another 8.1kg of cocaine was seized from a flat in Sheung Shui rented by one of them.