Hong Kong customs has arrested two men in connection with the seizure of 20kg (44lbs) of suspected ketamine worth HK$9 million (US$1.2 million) concealed inside plastic buckets, as well as HK$420,000 in cash.

A spokesman for the Customs and Excise Department said on Wednesday evening that officers had intercepted two parcels declared to be pesticides in a joint operation with anti-smuggling authorities in mainland China.

The two parcels were sent to Hong Kong from the mainland and were found to contain 20kg of suspected ketamine hidden inside plastic buckets.

City officers mounted a controlled delivery operation on Tuesday and arrested in Cheung Sha Wan two men, aged 21 and 77, suspected of being connected to the parcels.

Officers also seized HK$420,000 from the 21-year-old man’s private car during the arrest.

The two men are expected to appear in West Kowloon court on Thursday after being charged with two counts of attempting to traffic in a dangerous drug.