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Customs Drug Investigation Bureau officers last night (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 mounting an anti-narcotics operation saw a man and a woman acting suspiciously in Fung Kwan Street. The man was searched and officers found 31 grams of heroin.
In a follow-up investigation, Customs officers raided a rental unit nearby and discovered 383 tablets of methaqualone and six grams of heroin.
Customs investigation showed that the dangerous drugs were mainly targeted at drug traffickers in the New Territories.
A 23-year-old man and the 19-year-old woman were arrested.
The man will 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 about 6.30pm and seized 28 grams of heroin, with a 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
Issued at HKT 18:40
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