Chef arrested after Hong Kong police find HK$13 million in cannabis buds

A chef has been arrested in Hong Kong in connection with the seizure of HK$13 million (US$1.67 million) worth of cannabis buds, and will appear in court on Monday.

Police said on Sunday that the suspect, a 34-year-old man, was stopped outside a flat at an industrial building by officers from the narcotics bureau a day earlier.

Senior Inspector Jacky Liong Chun-hin of the bureau said the chef was subdued after he attempted to flee, with 1.5kg (3.3lbs) of cannabis buds found in a bag he was carrying.

Police also discovered another 48.5kg of cannabis buds inside the flat, which was believed to be a storage site, Liong said.

The total value of the haul was estimated to be about HK$13 million.

Police said they suspected the man had been recruited by a crime syndicate to keep an eye on the stored narcotics.