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The Police have successfully curbed the expansion of two triad societies in Yuen Long and dealt a severe blow to their financial sources.

At a press conference today (July 11), the acting Chief Superintendent of the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, Mr Lo Mung-hung, said that targeting the activities of the two triad societies in Yuen Long, the Police mounted an operation codenamed Mullington on June 28 and the operation was completed last night (July 10).

The operation was conducted by the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau, New Territories North Headquarters and Yuen Long Police District with the full support of the Customs and Excise Department.

In the operation, 124 people comprising 65 men and 59 women aged between 16 and 46 were arrested.

The arrestees who are affiliated with two triad societies respectively were mainly connected with illicit activities such as control on prostitution, sale of unmanifested cigarettes and marked diesel oil, sale of pirated VCDs, illegal gambling and extortion of mini-bus drivers.

Mr Lo said: "The earlier conflicts of interests in Yuen Long have led to a series of violent acts by the two triad societies including wounding, criminal damage and arson which seriously endangered the life of the residents. Thus, the Police planned an operation targeting the illicit activities of these two triad gangs and implemented the operation codenamed Mullington in late June with a view to dealing a blow on the gangs."

During the operation, the Police smashed seven vice establishments under the control of the two triad societies, apprehending seven persons for managing the vice establishments and 37 prostitutes holding two-way permits.

In conjunction with the Customs and Excise Department, the Police raided 30 blackspots selling contraband cigarettes, pirated VCDs and marked diesel oil, seizing some $310,000 worth of goods comprising $60,000 worth of contraband cigarettes, $160,000 marked diesel oil and $90,000 worth of pirated VCDs. The raids saw the arrest of 31 people. Also, the Police neutralised two gambling established which were controlled by one of the triad societies and nicked 16 people.

Targeting the activities of triad societies extorting money from mini-bus drivers, the Police mounted an undercover operation and succeeded in nabbing four triad society members.

In the operation the Police smashed a car theft syndicate, recovering seven missing luxury saloon cars with a total value of about $3,000,000 and catching a man with triad background.

Mr Lo noted: "The Police operation have successfully checked the illicit activities of the two triad gangs in Yuen Long, and demonstrated once again the Police determination and ability to combat triad societies.

"In future, the Police will continue to actively gather intelligence, mount undercover operations and closely operate with law enforcement authorities to stem triad societies and their sources of incomes."

Police Report No. 7

Issued by PPRB

End/2210 hours, Thursday, July 11, 2002 (PW)

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