Four individuals have been apprehended by Hong Kong law enforcement, and illegal substances valued at over HK$5.5 million (US$706,540), including the increasingly popular “space oil”, have been confiscated. The operation targeted two major drug packaging and distribution hubs.

The police announced on Saturday that the four arrested individuals, two men and two women, aged between 27 and 41, were believed to be involved in two separate incidents of alleged drug trafficking. The drugs involved included space oil, ice, and heroin. Some of the arrested individuals are suspected to have links to criminal gangs.

In an effort to combat the growing use of space oil among teenagers, Hong Kong authorities have recently categorized several key ingredients in space oil in the same group as cocaine. It has been revealed that variations of the main anaesthetic used in the vape capsules have been detected in 75 cases since the previous year.

Superintendent Li Muk-yik, of the Crime New Territories South regional headquarters, expressed concern over the increasing trend of space oil consumption, particularly among young people, who often use it disguised as e-cigarettes. “In reality, vaping space oil is the same as taking drugs because it is highly addictive with serious consequences that could lead to coma, brain damage and death. Individuals should be cautious about using space oil,” he said.

Lau Yuk-wa, chief inspector of the regional anti-triad unit of New Territories South, revealed that the first case involved a flat in Yau Ma Tei, which was allegedly used as a distribution center for space oil. In the early hours of Friday, a man and a woman were apprehended at the flat’s entrance, found in possession of e-cigarette vape cartridges filled with space oil. A subsequent search of the flat led to the discovery of another woman who was found to have liquid and powder substances, suspected to be illegal drugs.