The seizure points towards the growing presence of meth made by Mexican cartels in Asia, a region where the local “Golden Triangle” gangs traditionally dominate production.

Customs officials said the contraband was discovered in an air cargo shipment that originated in Mexico and came via Alaska.

Following a tip-off from overseas law enforcement, they X-rayed the shipment which was listed as being filled with cheap plastic sequins from Mexico, something officers said made little sense because such beads could easily be bought locally.

Inside they found 120 plastic lunch boxes filled with high grade methamphetamine and packets of fabric softener used to mask the smell.

“This is the largest meth trafficking case Hong Kong Customs has detected in the past 10 years,” Commander Philip Chan, from the customs department’s drug bureau, told reporters.

Chan said some of the ice may have been intended for local consumption but the majority was likely headed to further destinations overseas.