A suspected drug trafficker was remanded in custody on Saturday after appearing in court over an alleged escape by switching ID wristbands with another person while the pair were being held in a court cell.

Chan Shu-wa, 37, is charged with knowingly misleading a police officer and escaping from lawful custody.

Chan was earlier ordered to be remanded in custody by West Kowloon Court over a drug trafficking case, but he allegedly swapped his wristband with Lam King-ho, 24, an assault suspect due to be released on bail.

The same court adjourned the new case in relation to Chan's alleged escape to May 25, to allow for further investigation.

The 24-year-old, meanwhile, appeared in court on Thursday, also accused of misleading officers, and was remanded in custody.