Police seize petrol bombs, two arrested

Police seized 42 suspected Molotov cocktails from the trunks of two vehicles they stopped in Tai Po. Photo: RTHK

Police on Sunday seized more than 40 petrol bombs in Tai Po that they say may have been in the process of being transported to protest sites across Kowloon for anti-government protests.



Officers stopped two vehicles – a seven-seater and a taxi –on Lo Fai Road near Ting Kok Road in the early afternoon, after receiving a tip-off.



Police found 42 bottles in the trunks of the vehicles, which they believe to be petrol bombs. Other raw materials used in making Molotov cocktails were also seized, along with assorted items such as blow torches, paint, masks, plastic gloves, and saline solution.



Both drivers, 31 and 34, were arrested.



Police note that there have been online calls for anti-government protesters to cause widespread destruction across Kowloon, and say they cannot rule out the possibility that the petrol bombs were being transported to protests, to be distributed and used.



The force say they will investigate the source of the petrol bombs, and whether there is any wider organisation behind the making and distribution of these incendiary devices.



Police say they may make more arrests in connection with the case.



They warned that the use of petrol bombs to commit arson is a serious crime punishable by life imprisonment.