Hong Kong authorities successfully apprehended a primary suspect involved in the violent slashing of three Customs officers during a major drug raid in To Kwa Wan last week. Following a multi-day manhunt across multiple districts, the 38-year-old man, identified by the surname Wu, was taken into custody in Yuen Long, concluding an intense investigation that also led to the arrest of multiple individuals suspected of aiding his evasion. The incident, which highlights the inherent risks faced by law enforcement during anti-narcotics operations, occurred on November 6 and resulted in significant injuries to the officers involved.
Details of the Attack and Subsequent Manhunt
The chaotic sequence of events began at approximately 5:09 p.m. on November 6, when seven Customs officers executed a planned narcotics search at an apartment in the Honour Building on To Kwa Wan Road. The raid quickly turned violent when the suspect allegedly brandished a cleaver, injuring three officers before making an audacious escape.
According to police reports, three officers sustained serious wounds: a 29-year-old inspector suffered a four-centimeter gash to his left knee; a 42-year-old senior officer received two ten-centimeter cuts to his right hand; and a 36-year-old colleague sustained ten-centimeter lacerations across his right hand, left knee, and right leg. All three were conscious and immediately transported to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
The suspect, Mr. Wu, reportedly locked himself inside the fifth-floor flat and fled through a kitchen window. Detectives swiftly secured the scene, seizing substantial evidence related to both narcotics and weaponry. Acting Senior Superintendent Gar Kam-lam of the West Kowloon Regional Crime Headquarters confirmed the recovery of approximately four kilograms of heroin, 40 grams of ketamine, and 15 grams of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of around HK$1.8 million. Police also confiscated five imitation firearms, a crossbow, and several long knives. A bloodstained blade discovered near the building’s ground floor is currently undergoing forensic examination.
Capture and Network of Aiders
The suspect’s escape involved a city-wide operation enabled by temporary hideouts and multiple vehicle switches. Investigation revealed Mr. Wu initially left the area via taxi to Tai Po, transitioned to a private car, and subsequently moved between Sai Kung, Hung Shui Kiu, and Yuen Long in the following days. Police, maintaining constant surveillance, finally intercepted and arrested him on a street in Yuen Long this morning. He faces serious charges, including wounding, trafficking in dangerous drugs, possession of imitation firearms, and possession of offensive weapons.
Law enforcement officials believe the elaborate evasion was supported by multiple accomplices. In total, four individuals have been arrested since the incident on suspicion of assisting an offender or misleading police:
- A 41-year-old male driver, surnamed Yiu, was arrested on Nathan Road on November 7 for aiding the offender. He has since been formally charged.
- A 66-year-old female relative was detained under suspicion of misleading police during the investigation.
- Two other men were arrested this week concerning their potential involvement in the escape.
While the 41-year-old driver remains charged, the other arrestees have been released on bail pending further inquiries, highlighting the complexity of unraveling the support network. The successful capture marks a significant step in the ongoing effort to prosecute violent offenders targeting public servants and curb the supply of dangerous narcotics in the city. A formal police briefing is scheduled for this afternoon to provide further operational updates.