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Officers of the Police New Territories North (NTN) Crime Regional Headquarters have conducted an undercover operation, codenamed ˇ§Arrowrootˇ¨, against triad and drug related activities since February this year. The operation turned overt yesterday (June 21) with the arrest of 91 persons.
During the operation, officers raided a number of locations and arrested a total of 54 men and 37 women, age between 16 and 79, for various offences including trafficking in dangerous drugs, bookmaking, unlawful money lending, inviting a person to become a member of a triad society, claiming to be a member of a triad society, operating an unlawful gambling establishment, unlawful gambling, selling contraband cigarettes and possession of offensive weapons.
Thirteen men and three women are still being detained while 41 men and 34 women have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
During the operation, Police seized about $350,000 in cash, $190,000 worth of betting slips, $260,000 in soccer betting chips, $39,000 worth of contraband cigarettes, two choppers and a machete. In addition, about 7.5 grams of suspected No. 4 heroin and 12 Midazolam tablets worth about $4,500 were seized.
The Police appeal to members of the public not to borrow money from loan sharks so as to avoid falling into debt, and not to take part in illegal gambling activities. The consequences are not only financial losses arising from gambling, but also contravening of the Gambling Ordinance with a fine of up to $30,000 and imprisonment for up to nine months if convicted.
Police Report No. 3
Ends/Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:24
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