Police arrested a teen Wednesday on suspicion of trafficking dangerous drugs worth about HK$8.38 million, with the teenager claiming to have taken payment of a few thousand dollars for committing the crime.
The 17-year-old, who police said had triad links, was arrested at an industrial building unit in San Po Kong on Monday. Officers believed the unit was being used as a place to hide drugs.
Officers seized 34.9kg of cannabis buds worth about HK$82 million, along with 351g of suspected ketamine worth about HK$180,000, and arrested the boy on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs.
A police spokesman said gangs often manipulate young people into committing drug-related crimes and warned that teenagers should not have the idea that they will receive a lighter sentence based on their age.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, both drug trafficking and manufacturing are serious offences. The maximum penalty upon conviction for drug trafficking is life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.
Under the law, police can seek a more severe sentence from the court for drug traffickers who use minors in their crimes.