-from iol.co.za-

Hong Kong - Customs officials in Hong Kong said Friday they had seized a record 160 kilogram haul of high-grade cocaine with a street value of more than $14-million (about R97-million).

The cocaine was found stashed on a container vessel that arrived in Hong Kong from Panama and was hidden in two containers carrying purified water.

Five men and two women, all from Hong Kong, were arrested in connection with the seizure, which followed a lengthy surveillance operation, a customs spokesman said.

Investigations show that the cocaine, the biggest haul found in a single operation in Hong Kong, was destined for other countries, with Hong Kong used as a transit point. - Sapa-DPA