Hong Kong police have arrested 120 people, including 14 minors, after a month-long territory-wide four-week operation that targeted online sales of illegal drugs, seizing suspected narcotics and related products worth about HK$26 million ($3.32 million).

Senior Inspector Chan Lik-ho of the Police Force’s Narcotics Bureau told a media briefing on Monday that the operation, which wrapped up on Saturday, led to the detection of 74 drug cases and the seizure of about 53.7 kilograms of suspected dangerous drugs and Part I poisons. The 78 male and 42 female suspects are between 12 and 69 years old, with the 14 underage suspects comprising nine boys and five girls.

Police said those arrested are suspected of offenses that include possession of dangerous drugs, trafficking in dangerous drugs, manufacturing dangerous drugs, and conspiracy to traffic in dangerous drugs. Chan said officers identified two groups that were active on social media, where they allegedly posted advertisements for drugs and related products.

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Chan said some of the minors arrested were believed to have been recruited by drug-trafficking syndicates to act as couriers, while others were found in possession of e-cigarette products containing liquid nicotine or etomidate.

Chan described the situation as “worrying” and appealed to parents, schools and social workers to stay alert and intervene promptly if they notice suspicious behavior among young people.

Following online surveillance, officers targeted five core members who allegedly ran the online channels as well as handled storage and delivery of the drugs.

In a series of raids in mid-April, police smashed three alleged drug storage facilities in Tsim Sha Tsui, Tseung Kwan O and Tuen Mun, where they seized suspected cannabis buds, cannabis oil vape capsules, cannabis resin, suspected etomidate-containing vape cartridges, and other products believed to contain tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol.

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Chan condemned drug syndicates for using misleading rhetoric to lure young people and minors into delivering narcotics, adding that courts generally impose heavier penalties on offenders who exploit minors in criminal activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, anyone convicted of trafficking in dangerous drugs faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million.