HONG KONG: A 31-year-old woman was arrested yesterday after authorities discovered over two kilograms of cocaine stashed in cornflake boxes and milk powder cartons in her possession. Customs officers intercepted the unidentified suspect at the intersection of Cheong Lok Street and Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei at around 8pm, HK01 reports. They found her carrying the cocaine on her person, hidden in plastic bags stuffed into cereal and milk powder containers.
Officers escorted the woman to her home on Lock Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, but no other drugs were found. According to a government press release, the confiscated drugs are estimated to have a street value of roughly HKD1.93 million, but media reports have given the narcotics’ worth as HKD2.02 million. The arrestee, a 31-year-old woman reported by Oriental Daily to be of Indonesian descent, claimed to be unemployed. HK01, Oriental Daily, and Headline Daily all report that she used to be a domestic helper and overstayed her visa. As the cocaine was found in large quantities, police told reporters that they believed it belonged to a major drug cartel and was due to be repackaged into smaller amounts for distribution. An investigation is underway. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty for trafficking in a dangerous drug is a fine of HKD5 million and life imprisonment.
