Bangkok Passenger Arrested with B36M Worth of 'Space Oil' at Hong Kong Airport

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Travel Bug Aakash

 

In a significant bust highlighting the rise of synthetic drugs, a 22-year-old traveller from Bangkok was detained in Hong Kong for allegedly smuggling a substance known as "space oil," carrying a street value of approximately HK$8.4 million, or 36 million baht.

 

The arrest unfolded just as Hong Kong authorities prepare to categorise etomidate—a chemical component of space oil—as a dangerous drug, effective from Friday.

 

The incident occurred during routine customs checks after the passenger arrived from Bangkok. Officials discovered eight kilograms of powdered etomidate clandestinely packed within fruit-flavoured drink packets in the traveller's checked luggage. Additionally, customs officers detected two suspected alternative smoking products inside his carry-on backpack.

 

Etomidate, though currently classified as a Part 1 poison that is available solely by medical prescription, has become notorious for its illicit applications in manufacturing space oil. This anaesthetic substance, when processed, can produce more than 24,000 space oil cartridges, explaining its high market value.

Authorities swiftly arrested the suspect following the discovery. The Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong announced steadfast enforcement using a risk-based assessment strategy, targeting passengers arriving from regions with heightened drug trafficking risks.

 

The pending reclassification of etomidate as a dangerous drug on Friday marks a stern escalation in the legal implications surrounding space oil. Once labelled as such, possession or consumption of space oil will carry severe penalties, including up to seven years of imprisonment and fines reaching HK$1 million. Moreover, trafficking in the substance could lead to life imprisonment and fines up to HK$5 million upon conviction.

 

This arrest underscores the growing international attention and cooperation required to address synthetic drug manufacturing and smuggling. It serves as a cautionary tale of how rapidly these substances can enter the drug trade under legal radar and highlights the ongoing battle law enforcement faces in keeping up with ever-evolving drug trends, reportedBangkok Post.

 

-- 2025-02-14

 

 

[Jim Blue]

Blimey !

[NoMoonLogistics]

What's Elon Musk going to use now?

[topt]

I am getting old - never heard of this before........

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, NoMoonLogistics said:

What's Elon Musk going to use now?

100 dollar bills... but he can't burn them faster than US.A.I.D

[sscc]

What is  "Space Oil"  ? 

 

[NoMoonLogistics]

36 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

100 dollar bills... but he can't burn them faster than US.A.I.D

The question is... can he earn them faster than he is burning America's reputation for honouring it's word to the world.

[ujayujay]

Space Oil: 

https://www.google.com/search?q=space+oil&sca_esv=a12588ecf4d7e578&sxsrf=AHTn8zpXJZpykhJxe9-fE7G3EXB-ws2viw%3A1739526895739&source=hp&ei=7xKvZ5jtKrGRvr0P1p2vgA0&iflsig=ACkRmUkAAAAAZ68g_10snJMkFKn7KFoTTBfK8vzn9HBA&udm=7&oq=&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IgAqAggAMgoQIxjwBRgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQLhgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCMgcQIxgnGOoCSPATUABYAHABeACQAQCYAQCgAQCqAQC4AQHIAQCYAgGgAg6oAgqYAw7xBVT7oJL-d8xnkgcBMaAHAA&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&ip=1&vld=cid:f9937e71,vid:kbgRZ-C8jBI,st:0

[BritScot]

1 hour ago, NoMoonLogistics said:

The question is... can he earn them faster than he is burning America's reputation for honouring it's word to the world.

Wow, really? I'm not American and every day I pray for the Dream Team America now has, routing out corruption which is on an industrial scale and putting their own country first. If you honestly think the money was going to aid anyone but the corrupt in your government, I have a beautiful,  period bridge over the river Tames for sale?