Police have made the largest seizure of etomidate in the force's history, netting about 25 kilogrammes of the suspected substance with an estimated street value of more than HK$31 million, the force said on Wednesday.

In a raid on an industrial unit in Lai Chi Kok on Tuesday, the Narcotics Bureau uncovered a drug storage facility disguised as a logistics company office.

Officers seized about 25 kilos of suspected etomidate powder along with a large quantity of packaging materials.

Two men, believed to be the employees of the logistics company, were arrested at the scene.

Police estimate the powder could be used to produce more than 120,000 etomidate e-cigarette pods.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate used brand-new express delivery packaging to disguise the drugs as ordinary goods.

"As Halloween is approaching, and we cannot rule out the possibility that some individuals may have already begun stockpiling related drugs and arranging for their distribution to various entertainment venues during the holiday," senior inspector Chu Chun-yip said.

"If these drugs fully enter the market, they will pose a significant risk to the public, especially adolescents, with consequences too dire to contemplate," he said

The two suspects are being detained for investigation.

The case is expected to be heard at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on Thursday.




Edited by Tony Sabine