Two teenagers aged 14 and 15 were among three arrested by customs for trafficking cocaine worth about HK$110 million by using a large-scale electric transformer in February.
Hong Kong Customs detected a suspected drug trafficking case using a large-scale electric transformer last month and seized about 120 kilograms of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $110 million.
Through risk assessment and intelligence sharing with overseas law enforcement agencies, Customs officers selected for inspection a seaborne container, declared as containing electric transformers, arriving in Hong Kong from Costa Rica. Upon examination, Customs officers found a large-scale electric transformer fully filled with flammable liquid inside the container. Ten metal boxes wrapped with multiple layers of metal plate, each concealed with suspected cocaine, were found inside the electric transformer. The total amount of the suspected cocaine seized was about 120kg.
Customs officers later conducted a controlled delivery operation and arrested two men, aged 14 and 15, suspected to be connected to the case in San Tin on March 24. After a follow-up investigation, Customs officers further arrested a 49-year-old woman suspected to be connected to the case.
The two arrested men were laid a holding charge jointly with one count of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug. They will appear at the Fanling Magistrates’ Courts on March 28.