Customs officers smashed a dangerous drugs storage and distribution centre in Sai Ying Pun following the seizure of about $250,000 worth of suspected heroin and dangerous drugs paraphernalia yesterday (May 10).
About 9.15pm, officers from the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau intercepted a 54-year-old woman in Sai Ying Pun and found some suspected heroin in her possession.
Subsequent searches of two units in Sai Ying Pun and Wan Chai respectively resulted in the seizure of 579 grams of suspected heroin and a batch of dangerous drugs packaging equipment. A 49-year-old man was arrested.
The arrested woman will later be charged with "trafficking in dangerous drugs" and will appear in Eastern Magistrates' Court tomorrow (May 12).
The arrested man has been released on $30,000 bail pending further enquiries.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (May 11), "We believe that the dangerous drugs seized were intended for distribution on Hong Kong Island. Investigations are continuing."
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, the maximum penalty for trafficking in dangerous drugs is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Tuesday, May 11, 2004