An Italian man was arrested by Hong Kong police on Wednesday, who followed their nose and found marijuana growing in an industrial building in Tuen Mun, the New Territories.
The 33-year-old Italian, a Hong Kong identity card holder, was arrested when police from the New Territories North Regional Police Headquarters’ tactical unit conducted an anti-crime operation at the Tak Lee Industrial Centre on 8 Tsing Yeung Circuit.
They heard loud music coming from a flat on the 11th floor, Oriental Daily reported. Officers knocked on the door, but the Italian pushed it closed when he saw the policemen. Police also smelled marijuana when they approached the flat.
After entering the flat, police found 17 cannabis plants estimated to be worth at least HK$220,000 (US$28,032) in an 80-square-feet subdivided room. They arrested the Italian man and detained him for further questioning.
Police believe the growing operation had been going for two months and targeted retail sales in entertainment venues in Tuen Mun district.
The way we are choosing to deal with marijuana and drug use as a society is outdated. Our nonsensical system of scheduling makes the majority of these possession violations arguably arbitrary. It could even be argued that the majority of the danger inherent in drug use is actually a product of their illegality. With fentanyl and Dilauded at schedule 2 and marijuana at schedule one it is apparent that there is no medical or scientific rhyme or reason to these laws. The apparent benefit is the funds brought into the judicial system, the police department, and the country as a whole, but at what cost? I actually recently read an informative article further touching on the relationship between addiction and crime. If you’re interested I will put the link below. https://mhdetox.com/blog/drug-addiction-and-crime/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=comment&utm_campaign=drug_addiction_and_crime