The substance, in the form of dust, was found hidden within two cans of powdered milk for children
Hong Kong police have announced the seizure of 850 grams of an anesthetic used to produce a new synthetic drug, known as ‘Space Oil’, which will have caused at least three deaths in the territory.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chinese semi-autonomous customs customs said Ethomidate anesthetic was seized at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, the world’s largest sea crossing.
The powder -shaped substance was found hidden inside two cans of children’s powder milk inside a private vehicle that had crossed the bridge to enter Hong Kong on Saturday.
The 41 -year -old driver and the 49 -year -old passenger were both detained. Police later found, among the passenger’s belongings, an ethomidate capsule, which can consumed on electronic cigarette devices.
The amount of seized ethomidate had a $ 2.3 million market value of Hong Kong (about 263,000 euros).
Ethomidate, an intravenous short action anesthetic, is mainly used in emergency services, anesthesia units, surgery rooms and intensive care units.
According to the media of Hong Kong, police said at a press conference that the seized substance was originally sent from Malaysia to the neighboring region of Macao.
In February, Hong Kong’s security forces announced the seizure of three pounds of ethomidate at the airport, within an unqualified luggage from Malaysia.
In early November, Hong Kong authorities confirmed that at least three deaths are related to ‘space oil’.
In February, the territory implemented new protocols involving more rigorous control not only about drug storage, but also on documentation and handling requirements in local hospitals.
Ethomidate was included in a list of hazardous products targeted by restrictions, raising the maximum penalty for possession of ‘space oil’ to seven years in prison and a fine of one million dollars from Hong Kong (118 thousand euros).
Trafficking or illegal importation of this substance has become a maximum period of life imprisonment and a fine of five million dollars of Hong Kong (591 thousand euros).
Macau also revealed in December that police have already detected four cases linked to this narcotic since the first case of ‘space oil’ found in a local school in October 2023.
This drug is known in Hong Kong as ‘Zombie drug’ because it can cause serious physical and mental damage, including dependence, memory loss, seizures, loss of consciousness and even death.
