Police arrest 3 and seize HK$100 million in cannabis buds in beach raid

Officers stage ambush in Sai Kung and seize more than half tonne of cannabis in force’s third-largest such seizure since 2020

Hong Kong police have arrested three men and seized more than half a tonne of suspected cannabis buds worth about HK$100 million (US$12.77 million), making their third-largest seizure of the drug since 2020.

Chief Inspector Lam Pak-kiu of the narcotics bureau said on Thursday that officers conducted an ambush in the early hours on Wednesday at a beach along Tai Mong Tsai Road in Sai Kung acting on intelligence regarding a seaborne smuggling syndicate.

“Detectives spotted three non-Chinese men at a beach on Tai Mong Tsai Road, taking advantage of the darkness to move multiple nylon bags from the shore to the roadside,” Lam said. “Upon witnessing this, the detectives immediately identified themselves, subduing and arresting the three individuals on the spot.”

Officers seized 25 nylon bags containing 764 vacuum-sealed packs of suspected cannabis buds. The haul weighed 511.5kg (1,128lbs) and had an estimated market value of HK$98.7 million.

The case marked the third-largest such seizure recorded by police since 2020.

The three unemployed men, aged 25 to 34, were being detained for investigation. One is a Hong Kong identity card holder, while the other two have recognisance forms, a temporary identification document that allows the person to remain in the city but not to work.

They will be charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs, and the case is scheduled for mention at Kwun Tong Court on Friday.