Hong Kong customs made a record seizure of ketamine and smashed a transnational syndicate in operations conducted at Hong Kong International Airport, Tsim Sha Tsui and Hung Hom on Sunday and Monday.

According to a government press release on Tuesday, a total of 87.5 kilograms of high-grade ketamine with an estimated retail value of HK$30 million (US$3.84 million) was seized.

Four Singaporean and three Malaysian men, aged between 43 and 50, were arrested. They will later be charged with trafficking dangerous drugs.

The success of the operation is attributed to intelligence exchange among Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, the anti-smuggling bureaus of Shenzhen and Guangzhou customs, and cooperation of the Central Narcotics Bureau of Singapore, Royal Malaysian Police and Indian Customs, said the press release.

Timothy Tong, Hong Kong’s commissioner for customs and excise, commended the officers involved for their competence and professionalism in cracking the case.

He said, "Conducting vigorous law enforcement actions and maintaining intensive and frequent intelligence exchange with other jurisdictions, we will ensure that Hong Kong will not become a transit point for illicit drugs." 

Ketamine is a powerful anesthetic that has been used for both humans and animals. It can change people’s perceptions and cause hallucinations, and carries serious risks, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.

(Xinhua News Agency March 16, 2005)