AKIPRESS.COM - Hong Kong customs officers have seized US$11.3 million of methamphetamine concealed in wooden pallets carrying painted ceramics from Kyrgyzstan, the first haul from the central Asian country and the largest for the drug entering the city by air cargo this year, South China Morning Post reported.

The shipment caught officers’ attention as the country was not known for exporting such goods.

Upon initial screening at Hong Kong International Airport, anomalies were detected in the X-ray images of eight wooden pallets in the shipment.

Officers discovered small hidden compartments in the joints of the pallets.

Inside the 200 hollowed-out spaces were plastic bags containing methamphetamine, totalling 88kg.

An investigation led to the arrest of a 54-year-old man identified as a driver later that day at the airport. He was suspected to have been tasked with receiving the goods for further handling.