Chemicals that can be used for making explosives and weapons were among items seized by police during the arrest of Ray Wong Toi-yeung, leader of localist group Hong Kong Indigenous, on Sunday. The items were found at flat he was occupying in Tin Shui Wai.
They included chemicals, as well as batons, “V for Vendetta” masks, Viagra pills, battery-operated “guns”, and HK$530,000 in cash. Apple Daily quoted sources as saying that among the chemicals were polyethylene glycol (PEG), silicon dioxide and ammonium nitrate, a popular component for making the explosive ANFO.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau were deployed to examine the chemicals, following fears that the materials might be explosive. Firefighters were also on alert during the police operation.
Ming Pao reported on Monday that the battery-operated “guns”, one of the items seized by police, could be bought on Chinese online shopping site Taobao for less than HK$30. Online demonstration videos showed that the toy had a shooting range of one and a half to two metres, and was only able to knock down plastic cups and other light items. While the battery-operated “guns” confiscated by police were found to have a similar appearance to those sold on Taobao, it remained unclear whether they had the same power.
The raid came after police received tips from residents that Wong had been hiding in an apartment owned by a friend in Tin Shui Wai following the Mong Kok clashes. Police broke into the apartment after Wong and his companion refused to answer calls to open the door. Wong was arrested for incitement to riot and possessing prohibited items.
Hong Kong Indigenous also confirmed Wong’s arrest, posting on Facebook that he was detained at Tin Shui Wai police station.
Wong has disappeared from public events following the Mong Kok clashes. He left a “final message” online last Thursday, saying that he was unsure what would happen to him.
HKFP has asked the Hong Kong Police to comment on the arrest.
