5th January 2025 – (Hong Kong) On 4th January, Hong Kong Customs made a significant seizure at the West Kowloon Station of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL), uncovering a case involving the possession of etomidate, commonly known as the main ingredient in the “space oil drug.” Alongside this, customs officers confiscated 189 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from an incoming passenger.
The incident involved a 27-year-old male who had arrived in Hong Kong that day. During the customs clearance process, officials discovered a bottle of the suspected “space oil drug” in his travel bag, leading to his immediate arrest.
He now faces multiple charges, including possession of a Part 1 Poison, possession of goods liable under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, and failure to declare items to customs authorities. The case is set to be heard at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts on January 6.
Under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance, possession of any Part 1 Poison without proper authorization can result in a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to two years in prison. Similarly, the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance stipulates that involvement with illicit cigarettes carries a potential penalty of a $1 million fine and two years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
