Hong Kong Customs Seizes Suspected Etomidate Worth About $42 Million in Major Drug Bust

Hong Kong Customs shuts down suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seizes suspected etomidate worth about $42 million

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) shut down a suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seized over 3,000 suspected etomidate capsules, about 13.4 kilograms of suspected liquid etomidate, about 3kg of suspected etomidate powder, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in Kam Tin. A local man was arrested and the total estimated market value of the suspected etomidate amounted to about $42 million.

During an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Kam Tin yesterday afternoon, Customs intercepted a 61-year-old local man and escorted him to a village house unit nearby for a search. Customs officers seized the batch of suspected etomidate and suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in the unit. The man was arrested subsequently.

The arrested man has been charged with one count of manufacture of a dangerous drug and one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought up at the Tuen Mum Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (September 3).

According to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacture of a dangerous drug and trafficking in a dangerous drug are serious offences. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) shut down a suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seized over 3 000 suspected etomidate capsules, about 13.4 kilograms of suspected liquid etomidate, about 3kg of suspected etomidate powder and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in Kam Tin. Photo shows the arrestee in the case. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (September 1) shut down a suspected etomidate manufacturing centre and seized over 3 000 suspected etomidate capsules, about 13.4 kilograms of suspected liquid etomidate, about 3kg of suspected etomidate powder, and a batch of suspected drug manufacturing and packaging paraphernalia in Kam Tin. Photo shows the suspected etomidate seized. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First round of "Robots in the Community" Pilot Programme open for applications

The Digital Policy Office (DPO) announced today (November 9) that the "Robots in the Community" Pilot Programme is now open for applications from eligible organisations to borrow robots for demonstrations and performances at free community events. The application deadline is November 20, 2026, and applying is free of charge.

By lending a humanoid robot named "Smart Bot" (see Annexes 1 and 2) for free to participate in events organised by community organisations, the Pilot Programme enables members of the public to interact with humanoid robots firsthand, thereby enhancing citizens' understanding of embodied AI.

Applicants must be an organisation established to serve the public or residents of a region in Hong Kong, such as a company, a society, an office of a member of the Legislative Council/District Council, a district organisation or a welfare agency. The proposed community events under this round of applications must be held during the period from December 15, 2026, to February 28, 2027. "Smart Bot" can perform dancing and kung fu at community events; it can also transform into a popular science ambassador to share knowledge of embodied AI and other digital technologies with participants. For details of the programme, please visit the webpage (www.digitalpolicy.gov.hk/en/our_work/digital_infrastructure/digital_inclusion/robots_in_the_community/).

The DPO is committed to taking forward digital government services and actively narrowing the digital divide. To enable people from different backgrounds to enjoy the benefits brought about by digital technology, the DPO has rolled out a series of measures under the "Smart Silver" Digital Inclusion Programme to assist persons in need (especially the elderly) in understanding and using digital products and services, helping them fully integrate into the digitalised society. The "Robots in the Community" Pilot Programme will become the newest member of the "Smart Silver" Programme, further promoting digital inclusion.

Source: AI-found images