KUALA LUMPUR: Hong Kong police have made their largest-ever seizure of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as 'Ice', with a drug haul valued at HKD210 million (RM116.1 million).
The drugs were discovered hidden in furniture, and a 26-year-old Malaysian man was arrested on suspicion of trafficking.
According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Acting Superintendent Cheung Hok-fung from the narcotics bureau revealed that the raid uncovered 335kg of crystal meth and 55kg of cocaine, concealed in 25 of 245 boxes hidden within furniture.
The drugs were found in a shipping container that had arrived from the United States on Tuesday.
Cheung said the syndicate had used a logistics company to transport the goods to a warehouse in Yuen Long on Thursday.
Police raided the premises the same day, where they found the suspect unpacking the goods, along with gloves and electronic scales.
The Malaysian suspect had reportedly entered Hong Kong as a tourist a year ago, allegedly to plan the trafficking operation.
He has since been charged with one count of trafficking in dangerous drugs and is expected to appear in Tuen Mun Court tomorrow.
Senior Inspector Tong Wai-kwok told SCMP that a Malaysian syndicate had recruited foreigners to traffic drugs, splitting operations into smaller parts to evade detection.
He also urged logistics companies to be cautious of vague customer information.
Under Hong Kong law, drug trafficking is punishable by a fine of HKD5 million (RM2.75 million) and life imprisonment.