The Narcotics Bureau (NB) of Hong Kong Police seized 3.2 million Hong Kong dollars (US$412,903) worth of dangerous drugs and arrested four persons in two anti-drugs operations on Saturday.

Acting on information, NB officers laid an ambush at a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui and intercepted three men at the lobby of the hotel at about 1:00 p.m. Saturday, according to a government press release Sunday.

Eight kilograms of suspected "ice" was found in their possession. The drugs were concealed inside the packages of some Chinese tea containing inside a shopping bag.

The value of the drugs seized is about 2.84 million HK dollars (US$366,451), which is the largest single seizure in 2003.     

The three arrested persons, aged between 21 to 28, will be charged with trafficking in dangerous drugs and will be appeared at Kowloon City Magistracy Monday.

In a follow-up operation at about 4:00 p.m. Saturday, NB officers also arrested a 28-year-man in Tsing Yi and seized five kilograms of cannabis inside a suitcase carried by the man.

A subsequently search on the residence of the man, police seized 3.5 kilograms of suspected cannabis.

The 28-year-old man will also be charged and appeared at Tsuen Wan Magistracy Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2003)