Customs arrest two over illegal storage warehouse

Customs authorities in Hong Kong apprehended two individuals on Wednesday after discovering an illicit storage facility in the Sheung Shui district, suspected of being used for the smuggling of controlled pharmaceutical products into the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Among the 400,000 pharmaceutical items seized, the majority were products designed to boost virility. The hidden cache carried an estimated market value of approximately HK$11 million. Investigator Woo Suet-yi, from the Syndicate Crimes Investigation Bureau, revealed that officers also uncovered packaging tools and a large number of paper boxes, likely utilized for the packaging and storage of the illicit substances prior to their illicit distribution.

Woo expressed confidence that a significant portion of the suspected controlled pharmaceutical products originated from South Asia. However, the exact regions or countries of origin remain under investigation. She stated that the majority of the packaging materials indicated that the contents consisted of Part 1 poisons, signaling that the import, export, and storage of such controlled pharmaceutical products are subject to stringent regulations. Woo did not dismiss the possibility of additional arrests in the near future.

Senior pharmacist Chan Hon-wah, representing the Department of Health, cautioned the public about the potential health hazards associated with purchasing drugs from unverified sources or through illicit channels. He emphasized that pharmaceutical products containing Part 1 poisons and prescription drugs can only be consumed under the guidance and prescription of a medical professional.