Police found drugs stashed underwater for first time

For the first time, the Police have discovered a drug trafficking syndicate allegedly hiding suspected cocaine on the seabed.

Three people were arrested.

In the operation, 69 bricks of suspected cocaine were seized.

Each brick weighs around 1 kilogram, with an overall estimated market value of around 42 million dollars.

All the drugs were wrapped in layers of waterproof tape and placed in large waterproof bags.

A batch of diving equipment was also seized, including wetsuits and flippers, as well as oxygen tanks

and underwater propulsion devices.

Police said they discovered a drug-trafficking syndicate suspected of smuggling drugs into Hong Kong, and storing them in near-shore waters off Tsing Yi island.

Two local men and a Brazilian man who had entered Hong Kong as a tourist were arrested.