Editorial | Hong Kong drugs bust underscores why global cooperation is key

Credit goes not just to the two forces, but also to the authorities on the mainland and overseas jurisdictions that shared intelligence for the operation conducted between June and August. Local officers uncovered 74 narcotic-related cases and seized 1,219kg (2,687lbs) of drugs, including 622kg of cannabis, 280kg of ketamine, 200kg of cocaine, 85kg of methamphetamine and 2kg of Ecstasy pills. Ninety-six people, aged 16 to 69, were arrested. Among the 74 cases, 65 involved 79 air passengers intercepted at Hong Kong International Airport. Meanwhile, local law enforcement bodies also contributed to nine cases handled by their counterparts in Shenzhen, Germany, Canada and Singapore.

Authorities said drug syndicates had resorted to different tactics, such as the recruitment of non-local air travellers to confuse investigators, along with other arrangements such as convoluted flight routes and drug couriers picking up luggage checked in under another accomplice’s name. Thankfully, early exchanges with other jurisdictions paid off and law enforcers were able to receive intelligence on suspicious targets before they arrived.

The crackdown came as nearly 340 users of etomidate – previously known as space oil – were reported in Hong Kong in the first half of this year, exceeding the 300 recorded for all of 2024. The number of vape cartridges containing etomidate seized in the first six months of 2025 reached 250,000, 35 times higher than the same period last year. The youngest user among the latest batch was just 11.

The city’s open access and global connectivity mean it will remain a transit point for drug trafficking. The bust serves as a reminder of how important it is for the city to stay focused on fighting drugs. As international travel continues to grow and the operation of drug syndicates evolves, closer international collaboration is needed to keep narcotics at bay.