Police on Friday said they arrested 11 foreign domestic helpers on suspicion of performing an illegal abortion, and providing and possessing illegal drugs for the procedure.

The case came to light after a 39-year-old helper collapsed at her employer’s home in Tin Shui Wai, with blood stains on her lower body on June 2.

Medical personnel found a foetus with no sign of life in a laundry basket beside her bed.

The foetus was believed to have had an age of at least 28 weeks.

Officers also found a pregnancy test kit with a positive result and what were believed to be abortion pills in her room.

The helper told officers that she bought the abortion pills from another 32-year-old helper, who is alleged to have sold similar drugs to others.

Police said they believe the 32-year-old helper got the drugs from overseas.

“Further investigation revealed that this 32-year-old woman had sold similar suspected abortion drugs to other foreign domestic helpers between May 2024 and May 2025 for abortion,” said inspector Lam Ho-yin from Yuen Long District Crime Squad.

“In the past two week, Yuen Long District Crime teams arrested nine women who aged between 30 and 46 across various districts, for administrating drugs to procure abortion,” he added.

Five of the arrestees were charged, five were released on bail for further investigation, while one helper was under police custody.

Police also said there could be more arrests.

Lam said people could be sentenced to jail for purchasing or taking pills illegally for abortion.

“Anyone considering abortion due to health issue, family, or any other reasons should consult a registered medical practitioner to assess the risk and understand the side effects of any medication, do not blindly trust information online and take medications without the consultation with a registered medical practitioner,” Lam said.

Police also urged employers to encourage their domestic helpers to seek medical help if they think they could be pregnant.

“Laws vary among different countries. The police reiterate that supplying or consuming drugs to induce abortion without the consultation with registered medical practitioner in Hong Kong is a criminal offence,” Lam said.