Mong Kok, Hong Kong – Police in the bustling district of Mong Kok swiftly apprehended a driver early Friday morning following a dramatic foot chase that led to the discovery of illicit vaping cartridges containing a substance suspected to be etomidate, an emerging recreational drug. The incident, occurring around 2 a.m. at a vehicle checkpoint on Sai Yee Street, also revealed the suspect was allegedly operating a stolen vehicle while disqualified from driving.
The arrest unfolded after officers established a roadblock near a substation to screen suspicious vehicles. When a seven-seater car approached the stop, the male driver abruptly exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers immediately pursued, tackling and subduing the suspect after a brief chase.
During the subsequent search, law enforcement recovered approximately 20 electronic cigarette cartridges suspected to contain etomidate, sometimes colloquially referred to as “space oil” (太空油) locally. Etomidate is typically used as a short-acting intravenous anesthetic in medical settings but has recently been diverted for recreational use, often through vaping, leading to severe side effects including hallucinations and loss of consciousness.
Further investigation at the scene exposed a series of serious offenses committed by the man. He was found to be driving a vehicle reported stolen and was also operating it while his license was suspended, police said. Consequently, the individual was arrested on suspicion of trafficking in dangerous drugs, vehicle theft, and multiple traffic-related violations.
A police drug detection dog was later deployed to the scene to conduct a more extensive search of the vehicle and surrounding area. However, the search did not yield any additional contraband substances beyond the vaping cartridges initially seized.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenge faced by Hong Kong authorities in combating the distribution of novel psychoactive substances (NPS). The use of e-cigarette technology to administer these drugs creates difficulties for enforcement, as the packaging often mimics legitimate vaping products. Drug trafficking penalties in Hong Kong are stringent, with convictions for serious offenses carrying lengthy prison terms and substantial fines. Law enforcement agencies continue to warn the public about the dangers associated with experimenting with untested or unregulated substances like etomidate.
Authorities have confirmed they are continuing investigations into the source and distribution network of the seized drug cartridges, aiming to dismantle operations exploiting this new method of delivery. The suspect remains in custody pending further questioning.
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