Pubdate: 9 Jan 1999 Source: Reuters Copyright: 1999 Reuters Limited. HONG KONG CUSTOMS SAY DRUG COURIER GANG SMASHED HONG KONG, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Hong Kong Customs officials said they had uncovered a syndicate trafficking drugs to Taipei with the arrest of a member of a tour group with 2.8 kg (6lb 3 oz) of heroin strapped to his body. Friday's arrest followed the January 5 detention of two men travelling to Taipei with 6.1 kg of heroin strapped in bags around their bodies, the Customs Drug Investigation Bureau said in a statement. Last week, Hong Kong and Japanese police seized 100 kg (220 lb) of methamphatamine, or "ice" abaord an ocean-going vessel in Japan. Nineteen people were arrested. - --- MAP posted-by: Mike Gogulski