Hong Kong and the US joined forces to neutralise a transnational fake pharmaceutical drug-smuggling syndicate, with the arrest of a 27-year-old man.

During a joint investigation begun by the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement and Food & Drug Administration, a Chinese man was suspected of supplying fake pharmaceutical drugs worldwide through the Internet.

Hong Kong Customs joined the US parties in investigations and planned an undercover operation in Hong Kong. The man agreed to meet with the undercover agents in Hong Kong to discuss the sale and distribution into the US of 400,000 fake pharmaceutical drug tablets, including drugs to treat impotence, valued at $34 million.

The man was arrested after the meeting at a hotel in Hong Kong at 1.40pm yesterday. Some samples of suspected fake pharmaceutical drugs were seized during the operation.