Hong Kong police arrest taxi driver for alleged drug trafficking after 6km chase

A Hong Kong taxi driver has been arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking after leading police on a 6km car chase from Sha Tin to Lai Chi Kok.

The chase ended around 5 a.m. on Tuesday when the 56-year-old man’s taxi was intercepted on the Tsing Sha Highway near the Lai Chi Kok shelter. Officers discovered 33 packets of suspected cocaine worth HK$11,800 (US$12,752) in the vehicle.

A source said officers from the New Territories South Emergency Unit saw the taxi zigzagging at the intersection of Lion Rock Tunnel Road and Tai Chung Kiu Road in Sha Tin.

“Officers signaled the driver to stop, but the man ignored them and continued towards Tai Wai along Lion Rock Tunnel Road,” the insider said.

Police gave chase and eventually intercepted the taxi on the highway. The two locations are approximately 4 miles (6.7 km) apart.

“Inside the vehicle, officers seized 33 packets, weighing 15.74 grams of what appeared to be cocaine with an estimated street value of HK$11,800,” police said.

Officers arrested the taxi driver on suspicion of trafficking in a dangerous drug – an offense that carries a maximum penalty of life in prison.