Hong Kong police have seized 241kg of suspected cocaine estimated to be worth HK$180 million (US$23 million) from a typhoon shelter, marking the largest bust in the past year.

Acting Senior Superintendent Kwan Chun-hin from the narcotics bureau said on Sunday that police arrested three individuals – the suspected mastermind and two key members of the trafficking syndicate – during the raid at the Aberdeen Typhoon Shelter on Friday.

The operation dismantled the group and disrupted its supply chain.

“In the operation, police successfully intercepted 241kg of suspected cocaine bricks and prevented them from entering the local market. With a market value of HK$180 million, this is the largest cocaine trafficking case recorded in the past year,” Kwan said.

He added that one suspect had a background in fishing, which was used to exploit routine maritime routes to conceal smuggling activities.

“If they thought this would make detection more difficult, they were mistaken.”

Kwan stressed that police have both the capability and determination to intercept and prevent narcotics from hitting the streets.