Customs Drug Investigation Bureau officers last evening (March 21) neutralised an attenuating and packaging centre of dangerous drugs at a rental unit in Yuen Long, resulting in the seizure of 383 tablets of methaqualone (Mandrax) and six grams of heroin, worth about $20,000 in the market, and a batch of paraphernalia.
Shortly after 9pm, Customs officers spotted a man and a woman acting suspiciously at Fung Kwan Street while mounting an anti-narcotics operation. After a search, the officers found 31 grams of heroin on the man.
In follow up investigation, Customs officers raided a rental unit nearby in which 383 tablets of methaqualone and six grams of heroin were uncovered.
Customs investigation showed that the dangerous drugs mainly targeted at drug traffickers in the New Territories.
The 23-year-old man and the 19-year-old woman were arrested.
The man will later be charged with two counts of trafficking in a dangerous drug and will face trial at the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (March 23). The woman was bailed out at $3,000 pending further investigation.
In another development on the same day, Customs officers intercepted a 51-year-old man in Yau Ma Tei at about 6.30pm and seized 28 grams of heroin, with market value of about $15,000.
A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said today (March 22) that the Department would continue to step up enforcement against dangerous drug activities.
Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking or manufacturing is a serious offence. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of $5 million.
Ends/Wednesday, March 22, 2006