The Hong Kong Customs said Friday it had successfully smashed sophisticated methamphetamine (also known as ice) manufacturing and storage centers, seizing various types of methamphetamine with a market value of 175 million HK dollars (22.5 million U.S. dollars).

The Hong Kong Customs said it was the largest of its kind it had ever cracked. In the case, five suspects were arrested, and about 70 kg of methamphetamine, 70 liters of liquidized methamphetamine and 200 liters of semi-processed liquidized methamphetamine were seized.

A large amount of chemicals and equipment were also found, the Customs said.

The five arrested persons, aged between 25 and 60, will be charged with manufacturing a dangerous drug or trafficking in a dangerous drug and will appear at Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Courts on Saturday.

Under Hong Kong's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, manufacturing and trafficking of dangerous drugs are serious offenses. The maximum penalty is life imprisonment and a fine of 5 million HK dollars.