Hong Kong Customs has uncovered its first drug trafficking case involving the use of an underwater compartment of an ocean-going cargo vessel, seizing suspected cocaine worth about HK$256 million.

The seizure took place on November 5 in Tsing Yi, where Customs officers recovered around 417 kilograms of suspected cocaine. Two men, aged 45 and 37, were arrested during the operation and later released pending further investigation.

Customs said the case was identified through intelligence analysis and risk assessment, which suggested that a criminal group was using the vessel’s underwater hull structure to hide drugs. Based on this information, officers selected the cargo ship for a detailed underwater inspection after it arrived in Hong Kong.

During the inspection, officers found 11 bags of suspected cocaine hidden inside the vessel’s sea chest. The sea chest is a compartment built into the ship’s hull and is normally used to draw seawater for cooling engines and supporting other onboard systems. The compartment was located about 11 metres below sea level and had a very narrow opening.

Customs officers said that hiding drugs in such a location is extremely rare because of the depth and limited access. Investigators said access to the sea chest would be very difficult for ordinary individuals, raising the possibility that only professional divers could reach the compartment.

The cargo vessel involved is about 333 metres long and 48 metres wide. It had departed from Brazil, stopped in Singapore, and arrived in Hong Kong on November 4. The ship was scheduled to continue its journey to Shanghai and Ningbo on the Chinese mainland.

Authorities said they do not rule out the possibility that the syndicate planned to use the vessel as a large drug storage platform before distributing the drugs to different locations. Customs officers confirmed that the entire suspected shipment was seized during the operation.

The operation was carried out jointly with Mainland Customs anti-smuggling departments, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department. Underwater robots were also used to assist officers in inspecting the submerged compartment.

Following the seizure, Customs officers arrested two men in Tsing Yi who were suspected of being involved in the case. Sources said the two men are Indian nationals. Investigations are continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out.

With the Christmas and New Year holidays approaching, Hong Kong Customs said it would step up enforcement actions to combat drug trafficking activities ahead of the long holiday period.

Under Hong Kong’s Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, drug trafficking is a serious offence. Upon conviction, offenders face a maximum penalty of a HK$5 million fine and life imprisonment.

Reference: Hong Kong Customs