(Photo provided by Hong Kong China News Agency)
(ECNS) -- Hong Kong customs authorities seized HK$15.7 million worth of liquid cocaine found in a shipment of yellow pitaya, or yellow dragon fruit, at Hong Kong International Airport.
The drugs weighing 15 kilograms had been injected into 98 hollow dragon fruit, part of 160 cartons that originated from Colombia and passed through London.
Each fruit was emptied of its pulp first to make a container for liquid cocaine and then glued carefully back together to appear normal. Each fruit contained 135 grams of the drug.
The Drug Investigation Bureau at the Customs and Excise Department, mainly responsible for narcotics interdiction, received a tip-off and then worked with airport officials to intercept the haul on July 17, local media reported.
A 36-year-old man arrested at the terminal while picking up the shipment claimed to be a driver working for a logistics company.
Hong Kong customs said the concealment of drugs in fruit was a rare practice in drug trafficking.
Yellow pitahaya, also known as yellow dragon fruit, is highly nutritious with high fiber content.
