8 arrested over banned drug found in products

Police said on Tuesday eight people were arrested over the seizure of cannabidiol (CBD) products that contain a dangerous drug.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive substance in cannabis and is banned in Hong Kong. It can cause serious harm to health, such as addiction and hallucination.

CBD, meanwhile, is not considered psychoactive, and it’s not classified as a dangerous drug in Hong Kong and internationally.

But officers pointed out that CBD is generally extracted from cannabis, so CBD products may contain THC.

They raided nine shops across Hong Kong on Tuesday and seized 1,500 CBD products such as vape oil, coffee powder and lipstick.

They arrested six men and two women aged between 19 and 41.

The operation followed recent inspections by officers in which they collected and tested 50 CBD products and found that five of them contain THC.

The Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau said a large number of CBD products claiming to be THC-free have appeared in the market lately, raising concern on whether they may contain prohibited ingredients.

It said law enforcement agencies will take resolute action to tackle any products containing THC.