Hong Kong police arrested a 61-year-old man over DJ Mao Hamasaki drugging at a Tsim Sha Tsui Halloween party. Tests found GHB, cocaine, MDMA; she was in ICU.
Tags:Source: OT-Team(G), 星岛新闻, 观察者网, 澳门新闻通讯社, 日刊スポーツ
A 61-year-old local man has been arrested in Hong Kong in connection with the suspected drugging of Japanese DJ Mao Hamasaki at a private gathering in Tsim Sha Tsui on Halloween night. Police are investigating his relationship with the victim and the motive behind the incident.
Hamasaki, 33, was hospitalized after becoming seriously ill while working at a private venue in the early hours of Nov. 1. Tests reportedly detected four types of drugs in her system.
61-Year-Old Man Arrested in Connection With Suspected Drugging
Hong Kong police said on Nov. 3 that they received a report shortly before 5 a.m. on Nov. 1 concerning a 33-year-old Japanese woman who had become unwell after drinking a beverage at an entertainment venue in Tsim Sha Tsui. She was conscious when taken to hospital for treatment.
Following an investigation by the second team of the Yau Tsim District Crime Squad, officers arrested a 61-year-old local man in Central on Nov. 2 on suspicion of administering poison with intent to injure or cause harm.
Police are continuing to investigate the suspect's relationship with the woman and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to local media reports, tests reportedly detected four substances in Hamasaki's system, including GHB, commonly known as "happy water," cocaine and MDMA. A white powder-like substance was also reportedly noticed at the bottom of the drink.
The case has been classified as administering poison with intent to injure or cause harm.
What Happened During the Private Gathering?
Hamasaki, a former Japanese adult film actress who has since established her career as a DJ under the name DJ Mao, was performing at a Halloween event in Hong Kong.
According to her manager's account to local reporters, she first completed a DJ performance at a restaurant in Wan Chai. Afterward, someone approached the team on behalf of a major client, inviting her to continue performing at a private venue in Tsim Sha Tsui.
Her manager initially declined, saying that the team generally did not accept bookings for private parties of this kind. However, the invitation was repeatedly extended, with assurances that the gathering was simply an opportunity to socialize and that people would be present to look after her. The manager eventually agreed to take her there.
At the private venue, guests participated in a game. After losing, Hamasaki was handed a drink. Her manager said she initially thought it was whisky and even offered him a taste. He described it as sweet and assumed it was an ordinary cocktail.
Hamasaki subsequently drank it.
According to her own account, shared on social media on Nov. 2, the beverage tasted like orange juice. She had noticed a cloudy substance settled at the bottom of the glass but assumed it was orange pulp and did not think much of it.
She continued with her DJ performance after drinking. Around 40 minutes to an hour later, she began experiencing severe eye dryness and memory lapses. She later drank again from what appeared to be the same type of beverage while toasting with someone at the venue.
Not long afterward, her body became rigid, and she could no longer move her arms or legs. She eventually lost consciousness and regained it in the ambulance. She also reportedly experienced convulsions.
Her manager said he initially mistook her condition for exhaustion, as he had been working at consecutive events for two days. It was only after other staff members alerted him that something was wrong that he realized she was experiencing muscle spasms and could not move.
He said he tried to contact the venue's management but received unclear responses. Some people allegedly advised him not to escalate the matter. As Hamasaki's condition deteriorated, he insisted on calling the police and having her taken to hospital.
The manager also explained that Hamasaki frequently travels between Hong Kong and Japan, where she undergoes periodic hair drug tests. He was concerned that any unexplained drug traces could create serious complications for her, making hospital testing particularly important.
Hospitalization and Police Investigation
Hamasaki was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where she underwent emergency treatment. According to accounts provided by her manager and local media, urine tests returned positive results for four substances, and she also experienced hallucinations. Her condition was serious enough to require admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for monitoring.
The manager's account of the police response also attracted attention. He claimed that officers initially asked whether the team could handle the situation themselves because they were occupied with other matters, and that it took some time before officers arrived.
His comments subsequently drew criticism online, with some questioning why he had focused on the police response rather than his own decisions. These details have not been independently confirmed.
On Nov. 2, Hamasaki posted an update on Instagram Stories, apologizing for causing concern and confirming that she had regained consciousness and was recovering. She said she would remain in hospital for observation as a precaution.
She also clarified that the incident had no direct connection to the Tsim Sha Tsui nightclub, expressing hope that the case would not negatively affect the business. She apologized on behalf of her manager for his emotional reaction at the scene, saying he had blamed the venue's representative in the heat of the moment.
Later that day, she shared a more detailed account on X, saying that this was her first direct experience with drugs and that she had come to understand their dangers firsthand. She hoped to use her experience to raise awareness about drug abuse and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
She also advised people to drink only beverages they had opened themselves and to keep their drinks within sight at all times. If a drink has been left unattended, even briefly, she recommended replacing it rather than drinking it.
Hamasaki said she would cooperate with Hong Kong police after her discharge and would refrain from making further detailed public comments about the case.
Manager Faces Online Backlash
The incident has also sparked widespread criticism of Hamasaki's manager.
After the incident, he issued an apology, acknowledging that he had failed in his responsibilities. However, the statement did little to ease public criticism.
Many online commenters questioned his judgment in accepting a private-party booking despite initially recognizing the potential risks. They argued that he should not have agreed to the invitation simply because the organizers repeatedly assured him that everything would be safe.
Some comments questioned whether he had adequately protected the performer, with others calling for him to be replaced.
The investigation is ongoing, and police have yet to publicly disclose further details about the suspect or the alleged circumstances in which the substances were administered.
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