Hong Kong Customs officers have foiled a chemical smuggling attempt at Hong Kong Airport, and closed a crack cocaine manufacturing centre in Tsuen Wan.

In two operations, officers arrested three local men, aged 22 to 41, and seized 3.6 kilograms of a pseudoephedrine mixture, 1.1 kg of herbal cannabis, 90 grams of crack cocaine, and manufacturing and packing equipment. The total seizure was worth about $220,000.

In the first case, Customs investigators yesterday detained a 41-year-old man at the airport who was about to depart for New Zealand with 52 packets of pseudoephedrine, weighing 3.6 kg.

Customs investigations suggested the chemical was to be smuggled into New Zealand for illicit manufacturing of "ice". The man is out on bail pending further investigations.

In the second case, after a two-week investigation, Customs officers yesterday found a small quantity of crack cocaine on a 22-year-old man in Tsuen Wan. They then forced open a flat and smashed a drug manufacturing centre where crack cocaine was produced.

Officers arrested another man, aged 27, inside the flat and seized 1.1 kg of herbal cannabis, 90 gm of crack cocaine and the manufacturing and packing equipment.