Hong Kong police have arrested a 61-year-old man in connection with the suspected drugging of Japanese actress and DJ Hamasaki Mao at a private party in Hong Kong in the early hours of November 1, MHN Sports reported on November 5, citing Hong Kong media reports.
The man was arrested on November 2 on suspicion of administering a harmful substance to another person with the intent to cause injury. However, police have not yet confirmed who actually put drugs into the drink, and the investigation into others involved is continuing, according to the reports.
Hamasaki fell ill after finishing a DJ set in Wan Chai and accepting an invitation to perform at another venue. While taking part in a dice game there, she drank a beverage handed to her. She later described the drink on her own social media account, saying she drank two glasses of a cocktail-like beverage that tasted like orange juice. She noticed sediment at the bottom of the glass but assumed it was fruit pulp and thought nothing of it.
About 40 minutes to an hour later, as she began her performance, her memory started to blur and other unusual symptoms appeared. After drinking the same beverage again during the performance, her whole body stiffened and she could not move, she said. She suffered convulsions and collapsed, and was taken to hospital for treatment.
Tests on the drink reportedly found four drug components in it, including cocaine and the synthetic drug MDMA. Hamasaki has since regained consciousness and said her health is gradually improving. Hong Kong media also reported that she was discharged from hospital on November 3.
The case has drawn wide attention across Asia. Police are treating it as a suspected administration of poison with intent to injure, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison under Hong Kong law, according to reports.
Hamasaki is based in Hong Kong, where she works as a DJ and actress. She became known to Korean audiences through her appearance in the 2018 Korean film “High Society,” in which she played Minami. Her earlier career in Japan and her move into DJing have also been widely noted in coverage of the incident.
No further details about the arrested man have been publicly released. The investigation remains open as police work to establish exactly how the drugs entered her drink.
